[Toxoplasma antibodies in children in Slovakia with potential toxoplasmosis]

Over the years 1984-1987, 829 children from the Slovak Socialist Republic, aged from 0 to 15 years, with suspect toxoplasmosis were examined for the presence of toxoplasma antibodies by the serodiagnostic methods RVK, NIR, and ELISA. The percentage of toxoplasma antibodies yielded by the individual methods was as follows: RVK--39.5%; NIR--74.4%; ELISA-IgG--67.7%; ELISA-IgM--60.4%. Based on these results the authors conclude that the child population up to the age of 15 years is an at risk group with an increased possibility of contracting toxoplasmosis by frequent contact with the soil, sand, water, and animals, as well as by consuming not adequately cleaned fruit and vegetables. To protect the child population from toxoplasmosis greater attention is to be given to hygienic, nutritional and serodiagnostic prevention.