SEROPREVALENCIA DE Toxoplasma gondii EN UNA COMUNIDAD INDÍGENA DEL MUNICIPIO CEDEÑO, ESTADO BOLÍVAR, VENEZUELA SEROPREVALENCE OF Toxoplasma gondii IN AN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF, CEDEÑO MUNICIPALITY, BOLÍVAR STATE, VENEZUELA

Since the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in indigenous populations in eastern Venezuela is not known, a study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the indigenous community "Las Bateas" (Piaroa ethnicity), Cedeno Municipality, Bolivar State. A total of 151 serums were analyzed from individuals of both sexes and aged between 0 and 70 years old. The toxoplasmic antibodies were determined by the indirect hemaglutination and ELISA techniques. The sample included the 64.25% of the total population (n = 151/235), finding a seroprevalence of 68.87% (104/151). Of the seropositive individuals, 54 were female (51.92%) and 50 male (48.08%). The greatest number of positive cases occurred among people over 15 years old. There was no statistically significant difference with respect to sex. In conclusion, our results showed a high seroprevalence of T. gondii in the indigenous community of Las Bateas, being higher among adults but without difference in relation to gender.