Age-specific sero-prevalence of amoebiasis and giardiasis in southern Indian infants and children.
The age-specific sero-prevalence of amoebiasis and giardiasis was estimated in 91 pediatric diarrhoea and in 70 non-diarrhoeal cases from Southern India. Anti-amoeba/giardia IgG assays on 20 children with inflammatory bowel disease from the UK yielded base-line levels in a non-endemic symptomatic population. IgG, IgM, and IgA levels were estimated to E. histolytica and G. lamblia using an ELISA. Concomittant faecal examinations were done for the Indian children. There was a significant correlation between acquisition of sero-positivity and age. A rise in the IgG response to both organisms was evident between 38 and 47 and 13-24 months, respectively, in diarrhoeal and non-diarrhoeal cases. An appreciable IgM response occurred predominantly in diarrhoea cases and at a younger age (less than 24 months). IgA responses were low. Anti-protozoal IgG levels in the UK children were negligible. There was no relationship between faecal excretion and sero-positivity. The study shows an age-related antibody response to E. histolytica and G. lamblia.
Shetty
N
N
Department of Microbiology, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India.
Narasimha
M
M
Elliott
E
E
Raj
I S
IS
Macaden
R
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000469:parasitology; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000276:immunology; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan