IGM ANTIBODIES TO SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI GUT-ASSOCIATED ANTIGENS FOR THESTUDY OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS TRANSMISSION IN RIBEIRAO-PIRES, SAO-PAULO

The potential of an immunofluorescence test for detection of IgM antib odies against Schistosoma mansoni gut-associated antigens (IgM-IFT) wa s evaluated as a tool for studying aspects related to the schistosomia sis transmission in Ribeirao Fires, in the metropolitan area of the ca pital of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Children from a school with a bout 400 students, 6 to 18 years, were followed-up for two years. In t he five surveys, carried out at 6-month intervals, from October 92 to October 94 serological (IgM-IFT) prevalence indices of 5.3% 5.8%, 6.2% 2.9% and 3.3% were obtained. These indices were,ere 7 to 10 times hig her than the parasitological prevalence indices of 0.5%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0 .4% and 0% determined by the Kato-Katz method. Seroconversion from IFT negative to positive was indicating possible newly acquired S. manson i infection in three children. But confirmation of infection by fecal examination was possible in only one child. The IgM-IFT can constitute a valuable tool for the improvement of the vigilance program in low e ndemic areas for schistosomiasis, better characterizing the S. mansoni transmission in such areas.