[Seroprevalence of infection due to Echinococcus granulosus in the population of Castilla and León (Spain)].
BACKGROUND
Human hydatidosis is a prevalent zoonotic disease in the Castilla y León region of Spain. The aim of this study is to investigate the seroprevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection in this region.


METHODS
We studied 4824 serum samples from a random, representative population of healthy individuals from each province of Castilla y León, obtained over one year. An indirect enzyme-immunoassay developed in our laboratory was used to determine the presence of IgG antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus in these samples.


RESULTS
IgG antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus were detected in 3.4% (164/4824) of samples studied, with a range of 1.26% to 7.10%, depending on the province. Antibody seroprevalence increased significantly with age, but there was no significant sex-related difference (3.66% men vs. 3.14% women).


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection in Castilla y León is still high. These data contribute to hydatidosis surveillance within the control program for this disease.
Gutiérrez
M Purificación
MP
Area de Microbiología. Facultad de Medicina de Valladolid. Spain.
Ramírez
Inés
I
Zarzosa
M del Pilar
Mdel P
Fernández
José Miguel
JM
Dueñas
Ana Isabel
AI
Mantecón
M Angeles
MA
Almaraz
Ana
A
Rodríguez-Recio
M Jesús
MJ
Marcos
Henar
H
Alonso
Pedro
P
Bratos
Miguel Angel
MA
Orduña
Antonio
A
Rodríguez-Torres
Antonio
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G