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Maternal prevalence of toxoplasma antibody based on anonymous neonatal serosurvey: a geographical analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

A. E. Ades ,
S. Parker ,
R. Gilbert ,
P. A. Tookey ,
T. Berry ,
M. Hjelm ,
A. H. Wilcox ,
D. Cubitt  and
C. S. Peckham
A. E. Ades*
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Virology, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health and Hospitals for Sick Children
S. Parker
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Virology, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health and Hospitals for Sick Children
R. Gilbert
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Virology, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health and Hospitals for Sick Children
P. A. Tookey
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Virology, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health and Hospitals for Sick Children
T. Berry
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Virology, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health and Hospitals for Sick Children
M. Hjelm
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Virology, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health and Hospitals for Sick Children
A. H. Wilcox
Affiliation:
Neonatal Screening Laboratory, St Helier Hospital, Carshalton
D. Cubitt
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Virology, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health and Hospitals for Sick Children
C. S. Peckham
Affiliation:
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Virology, and Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health and Hospitals for Sick Children
*
*Dr A. E. Ades. Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit. Institute of Child Health. 30 Guilford Street. London WC1N.
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Summary

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A total of 12902 neonatal samples collected on absorbent paper for routine metabolic screening were tested anonymously for antibodies to toxoplasma. Seroprevalence varied from 19.5% in inner London, to 11.6% in suburban London, and 7.6% in non-metropolitan districts. Much of this variation appeared to be associated with the proportions of livebirths in each district to women born outside the UK. However, additional geographical variation remained and seroprevalence in UK-born women was estimated to be 12.7% in inner London, 7.5% in suburban London, and 5.5% in non-metropolitan areas. These estimates are considerably lower than any previously reported in antenatal sera in the UK. The wide geographical variation highlights a need for further research to determine the relative importance of different routes of transmission.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 110 , Issue 1 , February 1993 , pp. 127 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

References

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