Abstract

Background: Infections by Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondil are endemic in Chile and only a low proportion of infected individuals have clinical manifestations. Aim: To study the prevalence of infection by Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondii in Chile. Subjects and methods: The prevalence of IgG antibodies against Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma gondii were studied in 560 subjects under 30 years old, using an ELISA technique. Age, socioeconomic level, breast feeding, assistance to nurseries and number of family members were considered as risk factors for these infections. Results: Infection by Cytomegalovirus had a global prevalence of 60%. It showed an eptdemiological pattern of late acquisition in high socioeconomic levels and a pattern of early infection in medium and low socioeconomic levels. Eighty to 90% of sera were positive for the infection in adult subjects of the three socioeconomic levels. There was a positive correlation between the duration of breast feeding and the frequency of Cytomegalovirus infection. Infection by Toxoplasma gondii had a global prevalence of 24.6%. The rates of susceptible individuals were 80 and 50% in high and medium-low socioeconomic levels respectively. Conclusions: The knowledge about the frequency of these infections in high risk populations such as women during their reproductive years and immunodepressed individuals, will allow the implementation of preventive measures.