[Intradermal reactions with coccidioidins in different towns of San Luis Province]

Abstract

Intradermal tests were used to determine the extent of the endemic zone of coccidioidomycosis in Argentina. We performed our endemiological study among school-aged children and grown-ups in San Luis city and in the following towns: Nogoli, Villa de la Quebrada, Balde, Salinas del Bebedero, Beazley, Fraga and Eleodoro Lobos. We employed three coccidioidins for each person--Negroni's coccidioidin, coloured coccidioidin and uncoloured coccidioidin. Reactions were usually read 48 h after inoculation. After inoculating 1,262 individuals we could read only 1,069 results. Overall, the positive reactors to one, two or three coccidioidins were 14.8%. We found no relation between positive reactors and the sex of subjects, but every group showed a noticeable relation between age and positive reactions, especially in older people. The positive reactors for each of the coccidioidins were as follows: Negroni coccidioidin: 10.1%: coloured coccidioidin: 4.9% and uncoloured coccidioidin: 5.0%.