High seroprevalence of Pneumocystis infection in Spanish children

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2004 Nov;10(11):1029-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00974.x.

Abstract

Pneumocystis infection occurs worldwide, and most individuals test seropositive for Pneumocystis early in childhood. Little is known about the epidemiology of this infection in western Europe. The seroprevalence of Pneumocystis infection in 233 Spanish children was determined in a community study by immunoblot analysis of sera. The overall seroprevalence was 73%, with an age-related increase from 52% at 6 years to 66% at 10 years and 80% at 13 years. The data indicated a high seroprevalence of Pneumocystis infection in healthy Spanish children, thereby demonstrating that this pathogen is widespread in southern Spain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Fungal / blood*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumocystis / immunology*
  • Pneumocystis Infections / epidemiology*
  • Pneumocystis Infections / microbiology
  • Pneumocystis carinii / immunology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Fungal