A comparative study of the role of domestic cats and dogs in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis

A total of 2643 persons in 5 different regions were examined for toxoplasmosis by the immunofluorescence test and toxoplasmin skin test. The presence in the house of cats and dogs was taken into account. In two of the five regions under study there was revealed an increased incidence of toxoplasmosis in persons keeping cats; this confirmed the role of these animals as a source of toxoplasmosis infection. The absence of such increase in the incidence of the disease in other regions in explained by the character of buildings admitting migration of cats or the presence in the given region of other active sources of infection. Toxoplasmosis incidence in persons who kept or didn't keep dogs displayed no significant difference.