Kontakt zu landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben und Toxoplasma-gondii-Infektionen

Abstract

Background

Within the context of the hygiene hypothesis the authors aimed to study the potential association between farming-related risk factors and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) seropositivity.

Methods

The case-control study was nested in a cross-sectional study on allergic diseases in young adults living in a rural environment. Serum samples of 106 cases with specific IgE against a panel of common aeroallergens and 215 controls were analyzed for seropositivity to T. gondii.

Results

Living on a farm, regular visits to animal stables in early childhood, as well as consumption of unpasteurized milk at age six were significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity in the crude analyses. In the multivariate model, regular contact to animal stables before age three was the strongest risk factor for T. gondii infection (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.0 [1.0–4.0]). T. gondii seropositivity and farming-related factors seemed to decrease the risk of atopy in an additive matter, as subjects with T. gondii seropositivity, regular contact to animal stables and consumption of unpasteurized milk during childhood were least likely to be atopic (0.4 [0.1–1.0]; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Exposure to farming environments in childhood and T. gondii seropositivity might be closely related in rural subjects.