Association of cats and toxoplasmosis

In 1970, immunofluorescent toxoplasma dye titers were measured on 265 individuals aged 30 years and older from Washington County, Maryland. Characteristics of the individuals were determined from a private census conducted in this area in 1963. Titers at 1:16 dilution or higher were found in 38.5%. A strong positive association was found with increasing age, possession of farm animals, and residence in an older house; a strong negative association was found with possession of cats. These data are not consistent with laboratory evidence that cate are definitive hosts and disseminators of toxoplasma.