Sero-epidemiological studies of cysticercosis in school children from two rural areas of Transkei, South Africa.

Anticysticercus antibody titre levels were measured in the sera of 1352 school children from two rural areas of Transkei with different climatic conditions, in the southeastern seaboard of South Africa. The overall seropositivity rate was 5.5%, while the rates for children with good and poor nutritional status were 7.3% and 3.3% respectively. The rates for the two geographical areas did not differ. However, the mean antibody titre level in the 'dry' area (Cofimvaba) with extreme temperature regimes was higher than that in the 'wet' area (Umtata), and well-nourished children from the Cofimvaba area were significantly the most likely to be seropositive. On the other hand, undernourished children from Cofimvaba, and undernourished male children generally, were more likely to be seronegative (Odds Ratio 2.78 and 3.62 respectively). The implications of the findings for the treatment and control of cysticercosis are discussed.