In this paper the classical ELISA test was used, which is a highly sensitive method, with the objective of estimating the anti-Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antibodies level in healthy people, residing in supposedly endemic regions for PCM, Northwest Paraná State, Brazil. The sera was analyzed from 680 blood donors' who were approved by the classical serologic screening by blood banks. Four cities were studied (Campo Mourão, Maringá, Cianorte and Umuarama) with a sample of 170 donors each. The antigen used was Ag7days, diluted serum 1/400, anti human IgG-conjugate marked with peroxidase and revealed with O-Phenylenediamine. It was possible to detect 181 (27%) sera with antibody level above the cut off threshold. The percentage varied between the cities. These results allied with the favorable climatic and geographical conditions and also previous reports of PCM indigenous to the region, indicate that the Northwest of Paraná is an endemic region for PCM.
Paracoccidioidomycosis; Epidemiology; ELISA; Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
