IMMUNOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE TO ECHINOCOCCUS-GRANULOSUS IN A RURAL DOG-POPULATION IN URUGUAY

An ELISA was used to screen a dog population in Uruguay (Sarandi Del Y i, Durazno District) for the prevalence of specific serum antibodies ( IgG, IgA and IgE) to Echinococcus granulosus. The sensitivity (61%) an d specificity (97%) of the ELISA were determined using well-defined se rum groups. A total of 408 dogs from Sarandi del Yi and environs were screened serologically, and 29.7% (8.6-13.8% for each antibody class) of dogs had positive levels of antibody to E. granulosus. This antibod y prevalence (exposure) was significantly higher than the percentage o f dogs found to be positive for E. granulosus worms by arecoline purga tion (7.6%). This level of exposure to E. granulosus determined by ELI SA is considered unacceptable from a public health perspective. Measur es will now focus on obtaining data on the true prevalence of current infection in this dog population and on determining the transmission p atterns of the disease in this endemic region.