Age-related seroprevalence of Cryptosporidium in northern Israel

Background: Two recent studies found that the prevalence of cryptosporidios is among children in Israel was 3.4-7.4%. Objectives: To assess the cumulative infection rate by testing immunoglobul in A and G seroprevalence for Cryptosporidium in children and adults in Isr ael. Patients and Methods: The seroprevalence of IgA and IgG anti-Cryptosporidiu m antibodies was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedu re in a group of 163 healthy children and adults. Results: The overall seroprevalence rates for IgG, IgA, both IgA and IgG, a nd any immunoglobulin were 12.6%, 23%, 30% and 65.6% respectively. Half the children under the age of 12 years were already infected, with seroprevale nce increasing to 95.6% in those overage 13 (P<0.05). Seropositivity for Ig G or IgA did not significantly increase with age. Conclusions: These results indicate that a large percentage of healthy chil dren and adults in northern Israel have been infected with Cryptosporidium, and at early ages.