Seroprevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among recently immigrating Ethiopian Jews.

Sera from 144 Ethiopian immigrants who arrived in Operation Solomon, 1991, living in three absorption centers in the Jezreel Valley were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. Antibodies were found in 34% of the test group, with a rise in prevalence with age from 0% in the first decade to 46% in the > 40 age-groups. The prevalence in the Ethiopians was higher than in Jewish kibbutz members (22.8%) and lower than in Arab villagers (55.8%). During the reproductive years (age 20-39) the rate of seroconversion is 1% per year, and screening of pregnant Ethiopian women for antibodies to T. gondii should be considered.