It has been suggested, and; there is some supporting proof, that the prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies is correlated with climatic conditions and altitude [this Bulletin, 1956, v. 53, 653; 1959, v. 56, 355]. The authors have sought further evidence in support or otherwise for these suggestions which might ultimately help in indicating the mode of spread of the disease, which is regarded as a zoonosis. Sera of 504 school children from "three ethnologically and socio-economically similar communities at differing altitudes in Panama were tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii with the indirect fluorescent antibody test". The children were aged 7-14 years, there being approximately equal numbers of boys and girls. Samples of sera from the adult population were used to confirm the prevalence of antibodies in the neighbourhood. Results were regarded as positive when titres were 1 in 8 or greater. The highest prevalence was at the lowest altitude, and there were more positive reactions among boys than girls. There was a general increase in positive reactions with age. The pattern of positivity varied in the 3 communities. The highest prevalence was associated with low titres; a community with a low prevalence rate had a much higher proportion of high titres. The differences in prevalence in relation to altitude were found to be statistically significant.

J. D. Fulton.