THE SEROPREVALENCE OF CYSTICERCOSIS, MALARIA, AND TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI AMONG NORTH-CAROLINA MIGRANT FARMWORKERS

A seroprevalence study of cysticercosis, Trypanosoma cruzi, and plasmo dia species and screening for active malaria was conducted among a ran domly selected group of 138 Hispanic and Haitian migrant farmworkers. A random sample of labor camps in eastern North Carolina was selected. Blood samples were tested by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody techniques for plasmodial antibody and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELI SA) for cysticerci and T. cruzi antibodies. Questionnaires collected d emographic data and medical history of the workers and family. Blood f ilms stained with Leukostat stain were examined for plasmodia species. The seroprevalence of cysticercosis was 10 percent, T. cruzi 2 percen t, and plasmodia species 4.4 percent. One case of active malaria (Plas modium vivax) was demonstrated. The clinical significance of seroposit ivity was not determined, but these results suggest that a small but s ignificant number of farmworkers are infected with cysticercosis, T. c ruzi, and malaria. Migrant health clinicians should be aware of the po ssible presence of these infections. Greater observance and enforcemen t of sanitation regulations in farm-work is needed to prevent transmis sion of cysticercosis.