SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF TOXOCARIASIS AMONG HEALTHY PERSONS IN SOME AREAS OF BULGARIA

Abstract

Background. Human toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease in which the human being is an accidental host. The broad distribution of its definitive hosts determines the presence of the disease worldwide. Demographic factors, the way and standard of living, the existence of domestic animals in the household and their infestation are important for the epidemiology of the infection and determine the differences in reported seroprevalence. Data on the prevalence of toxocariasis in our country are limited. In this regard, the aim of the present study is to determine the seroprevalence of this parasitic infection among healthy individuals, in three regions of Bulgaria (Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Smolyan). Material and Methods. Serum samples obtained from 247 individuals were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies. Results. Positive results were found in 26 (10.5%) of them, which indicated the presence of an asymptomatic form of the disease in our country. We found different seropositivity rates in the studied districts of the country. Conclusions. Performing immunological tests among various groups of the population is of great importance for the early detection of Toxocara infection, as well as for determining the main factors for the spread of the disease.