title: Estimated prevalence of immunity to poliomyelitis in the city of São Paulo, Brazil: a population-based survey.
abstract: Objectives. Estimate the prevalence of immunity to poliomyelitis (anti-polio antibodies) in the city of São Paulo/Brazil through a population-based survey. Methods. A quantitative and inductive method was used to draw a representative sample of the population. Randomization and stratification (based on sex, age and residence region) was done, and 1,059 individuals were studied on a home-visit basis (structured questionnaires and blood samples). A microneutralization test was performed to detect anti-polio antibodies against serotypes 1, 2 and 3. Results. The estimated prevalence of immunity to poliomyelitis was high, with 94.6% prevalence of anti-polio 1 antibodies, 98.8% anti-polio 2 and 91.9% anti-polio 3. Despite this high prevalence, there were significantly lower prevalence levels in some groups, specially among age and residence region groups. Discussion. Routine child immunization and NIDs with OPV have provided excellent levels of serological immunity to poliomyelitis in the population of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. However, there may be specific groups with a lower prevalence of immunity. Estimations of the prevalence of immunity to poliomyelitis were made in a population-based survey, which could be used as an auxiliary tool for supporting the polio eradication program.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectology Emílio Ribas, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. iffer@uninet.com.br
authors.forename: Carlos Roberto Veiga
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Kiffer
authors.forename: Orlando Jorge
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Conceição
authors.forename: Edgar Bortholi
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabino
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Focaccia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral