Age-related seroprevalence of Cryptosporidium in northern Israel.
BACKGROUND
Two recent studies found that the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among children in Israel was 3.4-7.4%.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the cumulative infection rate by testing immunoglobulin A and G seroprevalence for Cryptosporidium in children and adults in Israel.


METHODS
The seroprevalence of IgA and IgG anti-Cryptosporidium antibodies was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure in a group of 163 healthy children and adults.


RESULTS
The overall seroprevalence rates for IgG, IgA, both IgA and IgG, and any immunoglobulin were 12.6%, 23%, 30% and 65.6% respectively. Half the children under the age of 12 years were already infected, with seroprevalence increasing to 95.6% in those over age 13 (P < 0.05). Seropositivity for IgG or IgA did not significantly increase with age.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that a large percentage of healthy children and adults in northern Israel have been infected with Cryptosporidium, and at early ages.
Miron
D
D
Department of Pediatrics A, Central Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. eitanm@kinneret.co.il
Colodner
R
R
Kenes
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G