Human toxoplasmosis in Somalia. Prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies in a village in the lower Scebelli region and in Mogadishu

The acquisition of Toxoplasma antibodies in various age groups was studied in 2 populations in Somalia, inhabitants of a village in the southern part of the country and residents in Mogadishu. The overall prevalence of antibodies was 56% in the village and 40% in Mogadishu. In both populations, antibodies were acquired early in life. At the age of 10 years, 44% of the villagers and 31% of the Mogadishu children were seropositive. In Europe and the USA the highest rate of antibody acquisition has been recorded in young adults. This difference may indicate different routes of transmission. In Europe and the USA Toxoplasma is transmitted mainly by the ingestion of undercooked pork or lamb. Undercooked meat is seldom consumed in Somalia, and pork not at all. However, the soil in Somalia is heavily contaminated with cat faeces and the humid climate in the southern part of the country may contribute to long survival of oocysts. In the villages all household activities are performed on the ground and in Mogadishu children play mainly outdoors on the ground. It therefore seems that conditions in Somalia favour transmission by oocysts rather than by infected meat. The early acquisition of antibodies in Somalia suggests that infection during pregnancy and, therefore, congenital toxoplasmosis are rare.