Seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in Andean communities from the Northeast of Lima, Peru

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2010 Jan-Feb;52(1):31-6. doi: 10.1590/s0036-46652010000100005.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in three Andean communities from the Northeast of Lima, Peru. A total of 303 subjects including children and adults were studied and blood samples were collected to detect anti-Toxocara antibodies by ELISA-IgG test and by hematological examination; stool samples were collected also for parasitological examination. The overall seroprevalence of toxocariasis observed in the total population was 20.46%, with a significant high proportion in children from one to 10 years old (p = 0.034). Among the subjects with positive serology, 32.26% of them had respiratory disturbances, 22.58% hepatomegaly, 17.74% ocular signs or symptoms, 14.51% abdominal pain, 9.68% neurological involvement, and 4.84% cutaneous signs, but none of these clinical features were associated to a positive serology by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, 79.03% of seropositive subjects also harbored at least one intestinal parasite, which was associated to a positive serology (p < 0.05). The presence of pets within the houses, a previous history of pica or geophagia and the use of public places were also present in this population, but only the latter was associated to the serology (p < 0.05). In conclusion, clinical, serological, and epidemiological evidences for larval Toxocara infection were found in the studied population.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood*
  • Child
  • Dogs
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Male
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Toxocara / immunology*
  • Toxocara / isolation & purification
  • Toxocariasis / diagnosis
  • Toxocariasis / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G