Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine seroprevalence and identify risk factors associated with Toxocara canis infection. A clinical and epidemiological questionnaire and body mass index were used to assess the risk factors associated with human toxocariasis in 108 children with an age range of 2–16 years. Antibodies against Toxocara canis were detected using an ELISA test kit. Chi-square analysis and odds ratio (OR) were used to identify risk factors associated with Toxocara canis seropositivity. The prevalence of antibodies against Toxocara canis was greater (P = 0.02) in males than females (28.84% and 16.07%, resp.). Chi-square analysis and odds ratio revealed just one variable with P < 0.05, and OR > 1.0 was associated with seropositivity: the possession of dogs under one year old (OR = 1.78). Although not significant, the OR values suggest that other factors may be epidemiologically important for Toxocara presence such as not washing hands before meals, malnutrition, obesity, and use of public parks. Children in the age group >12 and <16 years old had higher seroprevalence to Toxocara canis (17.59%) than the >2 and <11 years old age group (4.62%). Toxocariosis infection needs to be prevented by pet deworming and hygienic measures after contact with dogs.
Highlights
Toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis that causes significant morbidity worldwide. It is caused by nematodes of the genus Toxocara, which includes more than 30 species, of which two are important for humans: Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati [1]
Infection occurs in children by ingestion of eggs from T. canis via hands contaminated by direct contact with puppies, through the hair of the dog [2], or by ingestion of vegetables or soil contaminated with Toxocara eggs [3]
Geophagia and the use of public parks have been recognized as risk factors for Toxocara in children but others have been poorly evaluated [9], so the objective of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxocara canis in children and its association with several factors such as their health, hygiene practices, and pets
Summary
Toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis that causes significant morbidity worldwide It is caused by nematodes of the genus Toxocara, which includes more than 30 species, of which two are important for humans: Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati [1]. Infection occurs in children by ingestion of eggs from T. canis via hands contaminated by direct contact with puppies, through the hair of the dog [2], or by ingestion of vegetables or soil contaminated with Toxocara eggs [3]. Seroprevalence in children is variable and can be as low as 1% reported in Spain [5] or as high as 67% reported in Argentina [6]; within each region or country prevalence can vary widely, as in Brazil where there are locales with 8.7% and others up to 54.8% rates [7, 8]. Geophagia and the use of public parks have been recognized as risk factors for Toxocara in children but others have been poorly evaluated [9], so the objective of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxocara canis in children and its association with several factors such as their health, hygiene practices, and pets
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