SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMOSIS IN HUMANS AND DOGS FROM A SMALL MUNICIPALITY IN PARANA, BRAZIL

Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis with important public health implications. The aims of this study were to determine and identify factors associated to the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in humans and dogs from Jataizinho, Parana State, Brazil. Serum samples from 280 humans and 766 dogs, from rural and urban areas, were tested by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. Positive dilutions were ≥ 1:16. Epidemiological informations were obtained through an individual questionnaire and data tabulation was performed using EpiInfo 3.5.3 (CDC, Atlanta). Statistical significance was evaluated by chi-square (ᵪ2) or Fisher's exact tests with a 5.0 % significance level. The seroprevalence in humans was 70.00% (196/280), as follows: 69.08% (143/207) in rural and 72.60% (53/73) in a slum urban community. The seroprevalence in dogs was 52.35% (401/766), as follows: 71.74% (99/138) in rural and 48.08% (302/628) in urban area. In rural areas, there was no factor associated to risk of infection. In urban slum community, visualizing more than four rats at home was a factor statistically associated to seropositivity for human toxoplamosis. Infection of urban dogs was associated to age, contact with stray dogs or rodents, and free access to street. The results indicated a similar possibility of contact with Toxoplasma gondii between dogs and humans living in rural or slum urban areas of small municipalities.