Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a Mennonite community in Durango State, Mexico.

There is a lack of information concerning the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Mennonites (an ethnic group of Mexican citizens of German descent living in rural communities). The prevalence of anti- T. gondii immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies was examined in 152 Mennonites in Durango State, Mexico, using enzyme-linked immunoassays. In total, 46 (30.3%) of 152 participants (mean age 38.4 ± 15.5 yr) had IgG T. gondii antibodies; 5 (3.3%) also had IgM T. gondii antibodies. Toxoplasma gondii infection was significantly associated with the presence of cats at home (adjusted OR  =  3.93; 95% CI: 1.40-11.05), raising cattle (adjusted OR  =  3.88; 95% CI: 1.24-12.11), consumption of pigeon meat (adjusted OR  =  3.0; 95% CI: 1.36-6.63), and consumption of untreated water (adjusted OR  =  2.42; 95% CI: 1.09-5.40). This is the first report of seroprevalence and contributing factors for T. gondii infection in Mennonites and of an association of the consumption of pigeon meat with T. gondii infection. Results of this study should be useful in the design of optimal preventive measures against T. gondii infection.