Abstract

LONARDONI, Maria Valdrinez C. et al. Frequency of anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies in individuals from five counties in the southern region of Brazil. Rev. Saúde Pública [online]. 1996, vol.30, n.3, pp. 273-279. ISSN 0034-8910.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101996000300011.

An epidemiological and serological study was carried out on a sample of 2,180 individuals, in five counties in the north of Paraná State - Brazil, using the indirect immunofluorescence test to detect anti-Cysticercus cellulosae antibodies. These individuals, 69 (3.2%) showed significant titers of antibodies. No single significant difference between the proportion of reactivity in Sarandi (6.6%) and in Marialva (4.7%) was observed (Z=1,319, P=0,0936), but it was significantly higher than that observed in Mandaguaçu, Paiçandu and Maringá (P<0.01). Of these individuals, 47.9% were within 21-49 years old and 79.4% were of female sex. "Headache" (70.6%), "faintness" (57.4%), and "convulsions" (7.4%) were among the most frequent by reported, moreover, cases of Taenia infections (22.1%) and the custom of eating uncooked beef (41.2%) or pork (27.9%) and meat containing cysticerci (25.0%) were also related.

Keywords : Cysticercosis [epidemiology]; Cysticercus [immunolgy]; Antibodies [helminth, isolation].