Serological study of amebiasis and toxoplasmosis in the Lindu Valley, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

ABSTRACT

Results of a serology survey in April 1972 for Entamoeba histolytica and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among 484 inhabitants of the isolated Lake Lindu Valley of Central Sulawesi (Celebes) are presented. Indirect hemagglutination antibody titers for amebiasis were found in over 10% of the population, although only 3.7% demonstrated significant titers of 1128 or greater. There appeared to be no relationship between antibody titers and the age and sex of individuals tested, and the frequency distribution of antibody titers indicates a low prevalence of invasive amebiasis in the population. Indirect hemagglutination antibody titers for Toxoplasma gondii equal to or greater than 132 were found in 27.1% of the total population, and it appeared that the prevalence of titers increased with age in both sexes. More families with cats had Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers than families without cats.