Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the Chinese population of Hong Kong

Abstract Sera from 2,499 randomly selected Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong were tested for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. The over-all prevalence was 9·8%. The prevalence was significantly higher in the 10 to 19 and 30 to 39 year age group and the highest level of titres was found in the 20 to 29 group. There was no significant difference in prevalence between the male and female population and between the rural and city dwellers. The distinctly low prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Hong Kong can probably be attributed to the absence of cats in most domestic households and the preference of the people to eat well-cooked meat (commonly beef and pork).