Cystic echinococcosis: analysis of the serological profile related to the risk factors in individuals without ultrasound liver changes living in an endemic area of Tacuarembó, Uruguay.
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a high prevalence zoonosis among the rural population of Tacuarembó (Uruguay). The correlation between serological data and the incidence of risk factors was studied in a survey carried out in 1998 among rural communities where 480 individuals were examined by means of abdominal sonography (local prevalence = 0.8%). Serum samples (305) were analysed by ELISA to determine specific IgG against crude antigens from Echinococcus granulosus. A total of 27 individuals exhibiting no detectable changes in abdominal sonographic examination were found to be seropositive ('ultrasound normal group'). Of these individuals 9 were seroreactive against purified antigen B. A significant degree of correlation was found between seroreactivity and the incidence of some risk factors (CE antecedent in the family, P < 0.005 and use of rural water, P < 0.0001) among this group. Follow-up of individuals of the 'ultrasound normal group' was carried out after 2 years to evaluate the implications of this serological reactivity. No predictive value for cyst development was assessed with complementary image study; in contrast transient antibodies were observed with both crude and purified antigen as approximately 60% of individuals became negative when re-sampled.
Hernández
A
A
Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Instituto de Higiene, Avda. A. Navarro 3051, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay. aherna@fq.edu.uy
Cardozo
G
G
Dematteis
S
S
Baz
A
A
Trias
N
N
Nuñez
H
H
Barragué
A
A
López
L
L
Fuentes
J
J
López
O
O
Ferreira
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014583:Uruguay / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan