Exposición al parásito Toxocara canis en una población escolar de la comuna 7 del distrito de Santa Marta, Colombia.

Abstract

The toxocariosis is a zoonosis caused by ingestion of infective eggs of parasites toxocara species, present in the contaminated soil. Human infection by Toxocara canis is a major cause of visceral larva migration syndrome. The main source of the disease are dogs infected with the parasite. In Santa Marta district the dogs population is high, however there isnt known prevalence of toxocariosis in these animals nor in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess exposure to Toxocara canis in school children between 2 and 16 years old from seven commune of Santa Marta district. The blood levels of IgG against antigen secretion/excretion of L2 larvae of Toxocara canis and total IgE blood levels was determinate, also the presence of intestinal parasites and epidemiological and clinical factors related to human toxocariosis. In a sample of 133 children, 42.1% were Toxocara canis seropositive and 92.5% had blood levels of total IgE. Epidemiologic factors associated with Toxocara exposure were the absence of drinking water (p <0.0001), lack of sewage (p = 0.034), contact with soil (p <0.0001) and presence of pets (dog,