Serological evidence of Cryptosporidium infections in a Russian city and evaluation of risk factors for infections.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the relative frequency of Cryptosporidium infections and risk factors for infection in Cherepovets, Russia.


METHODS
In June 1999, data on demographic, socioeconomic, hygienic characteristics, and recent gastrointestinal illness were collected on 50 community-recruited adults and 50 blood donors. The community group then maintained daily diaries of exposures and gastrointestinal symptoms for 5 months. Sera samples at the inception and conclusion of the study were tested for antibody responses to the 15/17 kDa and 27 kDa Cryptosporidium antigens using mini-immunoblots.


RESULTS
At the inception, 68% and 88% of study participants had detectable serological responses to 15/17 kDa and 27 kDa antigens. Older age was associated with stronger antibody responses to both antigens. Attendance at swimming pools was associated with stronger responses to both antigens in predominantly male blood donors. Over the follow-up period, drinking non-boiled water from shallow draw-wells was associated with an increase in serological response to the 27 kDa antigen. Self-reported gastrointestinal illness was not associated with an increase in serological response.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of positive serological responses in Cherepovets was higher than in most prior Cryptosporidium serosurveys in non-outbreak communities. Drinking water is an important pathway for infection.
Egorov
Andrey
A
Tufts School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. andrey.egorov@tufts.edu
Frost
Floyd
F
Muller
Timothy
T
Naumova
Elena
E
Tereschenko
Andrei
A
Ford
Timothy
T
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D045483:Rivers; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014867:Water