[Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis on Mayotte (Comores Archipelago)].

A seroepidemiological survey of toxoplasmosis was carried out on Mayotte Island. Detection of IgG was performed on 871 samples from 509 females and 362 males by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Using a cut-off value of 12 UI (1/16), 734 sera (84.3%) were found to be positive. Assays for specific IgM which were carried out only in positive subjects detected IgM in 13 people (1.5%). Comparison between different ethnic groups showed significantly higher rates of seroprevalence in villages with latrines. This finding is attributed to the use of fresh water for bathing and dish washing. It has been hypothesized that use of salt water for these purposes lessens the rate of contamination by destroying Toxoplasma gondii oocysts.