PREVALENCE OF POSITIVE ANTIBODIES TO LEGI ONELLA-PNEUMOPHILA IN 100 HEALTHY-SUBJECTS FROM SANTIAGO, CHILE

In order to investigate the L pneumophila seroprevalence in healthy ad ult population of Santiago, Chile, a serologic survey of antibodies to serogroups 1 through G was performed. Sera of 100 blood donors were s tudied with the indirect fluorescent antibody method. Positive results (greater-than-or-equal-to 1.64) were obtained in five samples. Titres greater-than-or-equal-to 1:128 were not observed. We conclude that th e seroprevalence of L pneumophila in Santiago is 5% and that a single titre greater-than-or-equal-to 1:256 suggests the diagnosis of legione llosis. The low seroprevalence in Santiago is in agreement with the fe w cases of legionellosis reported.