Seroepidemiology of amebiasis in Mexico

The presence of serum antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica was detected by indirect hemagglutination in a representative sample of the 32 federal entities of the Mexican Republic. This study was designed to include biologic, geographic, social, economic, and educational variables. The total percentag...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 50; no. 4; p. 412
Main Authors Caballero-Salcedo, A, Viveros-Rogel, M, Salvatierra, B, Tapia-Conyer, R, Sepulveda-Amor, J, Gutierrez, G, Ortiz-Ortiz, L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.1994
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Animals
Antibodies, Protozoan - blood
Child
Child, Preschool
Educational Status
Entamoeba histolytica - immunology
Entamoebiasis - epidemiology
Female
Hemagglutination Tests
Housing
Humans
Infant
Male
Mexico - epidemiology
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Rural Population
Social Class
Urban Population
Mexico
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Summary:The presence of serum antibodies to Entamoeba histolytica was detected by indirect hemagglutination in a representative sample of the 32 federal entities of the Mexican Republic. This study was designed to include biologic, geographic, social, economic, and educational variables. The total percentage of positive sera was 8.41%. Seroprevalence varied with geographic zones, with the South Central, South Pacific, and Yucatan Peninsula areas showing the highest values (> or = 9%), and the North, Northeast, and Gulf of Mexico areas showing the lowest values (< or = 8.0%). Seroprevalence of anti-E. histolytica antibodies seemed to increase from the northern regions to the southern areas of Mexico. These results indicated that amebiasis is endemic in the Mexican Republic, with areas of high seroprevalence not related to climatic conditions. Exposure to infectious contact with E. histolytica occurred at all ages, with a higher frequency at school age.
ISSN:0002-9637
DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.1994.50.412