EPIDEMIOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS OF CRYPTOSPORI DIUM SPP PARASITISM IN CHILDREN - USEFULNESS OF THE SEROLOGICAL STUDY

Background. Evaluate the contribution of the serological study of Cryp tosporidium spp. for more precise knowledge of the epidemiology of thi s parasitation within a child population and its usefulness in laborat ory diagnosis of cryptosporidiasis. Methods. Using a prospective study design, the presence of antibodies for Cryptosporidium spp. was deter mined by indirect immunofluorescence in sera of 106 children, aged 0-1 3 years in the province of Salamanca. Results. The seroprevalence of I gG against Cryptosporidium spp. n the child population was 22.6% (24/1 06). 20.8% of the children seropositive for IgG (5/24) also presented with specific IgM. In a newborn, IgG (12.5%; 1 out of 8 newborns) was detected but IgM not found. The seroprevalence of IgG in rural areas w as 18.2% (10/55) and the average in urban areas was 27.4% (14/51). In both instances, the age group with the highest seroprevalence correspo nded to that of 2-3 year olds. Conclusions. The rate of seroprevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in the child population of Salamanca is appre ciably higher than the prevalence detected in feces. Recent infection can manifest itself with simultaneous seropositivity of IgG and IgM. T his serological pattern, in the presence of a clinical framework compa tible with the detection of oocysts in feces, can complement the diagn osis of cryptosporidiasis.