title: [Seroprevalence of infection due to Echinococcus granulosus in the population of Castilla and León (Spain)].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Area de Microbiología. Facultad de Medicina de Valladolid. Spain.
authors.forename: M Purificación
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: M del Pilar
authors.initials: Mdel P
authors.lastname: Zarzosa
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Ana Isabel
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Dueñas
authors.forename: M Angeles
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mantecón
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almaraz
authors.forename: M Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Recio
authors.forename: Henar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marcos
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bratos
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orduña
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Torres
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G