Schistosomiasis Mansoni in Bananal (State of Sªo Paulo, Brazil). III. Seroepidemiological Studies in the Palha District

antibody test was used to assess gut-associated IgM antibody titers of samples from 452 inhabitants. It disclosed 129 (28.5%) positive cases. Subjects were classified according to age, sex, birthplace, and period of residence. Titers varied from 8 to 4,096 (geometric mean: 170.2). Seropositives were aged from 6 to 69 years (average: 24.5), 75 % of them aged 34 or less, predominantly males (78 or 60.5%). Of all subjects, 65.7 % were born and had been living in Bananal since; 24.2 % came from neighboring municipalities and are residing in Bananal from two months to 89 years (average: 22.7 years). Further Kato-Katz coproscopy from 97 seropositives (geometric mean titer, 619) revealed S. mansoni eggs in 11 subjects (11.3%). Serology was deemed useful in screening subjects to be further investigated by coproscopy, considering that blood collection had better acceptance than supplying fecal samples. Higher than average serological titers may indicate new cases in endemic areas. Longitudinal studies associated with epidemiological investigation, including titer evolution are advised, as isolated data are difficult to interpret. Key words: schistosomiasis mansoni- seroepidemiology- low transmission area- São Paulo- Brazi