Age-related seroprevalence of Cryptosporidium in northern Israel.

BACKGROUND

Two recent studies found that the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among children in Israel was 3.4-7.4%.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the cumulative infection rate by testing immunoglobulin A and G seroprevalence for Cryptosporidium in children and adults in Israel.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The seroprevalence of IgA and IgG anti-Cryptosporidium antibodies was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure in a group of 163 healthy children and adults.

RESULTS

The overall seroprevalence rates for IgG, IgA, both IgA and IgG, and any immunoglobulin were 12.6%, 23%, 30% and 65.6% respectively. Half the children under the age of 12 years were already infected, with seroprevalence increasing to 95.6% in those over age 13 (P < 0.05). Seropositivity for IgG or IgA did not significantly increase with age.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that a large percentage of healthy children and adults in northern Israel have been infected with Cryptosporidium, and at early ages.