Sero-epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in two areas of Rwanda (Central Africa)

Abstract

We collected dry blood specimens from two rural areas in Rwanda, that were tested for anti bodies to Toxoplasma gondii through the Direct Agglutination technique. 50% of the adults in both communities had antibodies to T. gondii. The Ngenda (NGD) po pulation apparently acquired antibodies at a la ter stage of its life (only 12% were positive at 14 years of age). The Nyarutovu (NVU) popula tion already showed a 31% positivity at the same age. We would like to point out the pathogenic role played by toxoplasmosis during pregnancy and the need of new studies about the epidemiology of the disease as well as the transmission mechanism in Rwanda.