Prevalence of antibody to Toxoplasma gondii among inhabitants under different geographical and climatic conditions in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Sera collected from 2,564 inhabitants of different areas in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, were examined for antibody to Toxoplasma gondii by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The overall prevalence rates of male (11.6%) and female populations (7.6%) were significantly different (P < 0.001). The prevalence also depended on age of the population. Of 11 districts three, being far from the sea and occupied mainly by mountains with relatively high altitudes (95-195 m), showed a significantly lower average prevalence (5.0%) than the other districts with altitudes of 3-58 m, a part of which was adjacent to the sea (10.6%; P < 0.001). The average prevalence obtained in two districts with annual rainfall of 1,862-2,062 mm (16.8%) was significantly higher than that obtained in six districts with annual rainfall of 1,026-1,204 mm (8.6%; P < 0.001).