The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in naturally infected broiler chickens (n = 189) from the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. The chickens were reared in a semi-intensive system by small family farmers (n = 7). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the presence of anti- Toxocara spp. IgY after serum adsorption with Ascaridia galli antigens. An overall seroprevalence of 67.7% (128/189; 95% CI = 61.1-74.4) was observed. The frequency of positive animals by farm ranged from 29.6% to 100%. The optical density and reactivity index values observed in ELISA test indicated the possible chronicity of infection of the evaluated chickens. Associations between the presence of antibodies and the area where the chickens were reared (p = 0.382) or the population density of dogs on the farm (p = 0.785) were not observed. This study shows a high prevalence of Toxocara spp. antibodies in broiler chickens reared in semi-intensive systems and provides evidence that chickens are a good indicator of environmental contamination by larva migrans agents. Further studies are necessary to assess the risk factors associated with poultry infection and the likelihood of toxocariasis transmission to humans via the ingestion of free-range chicken meat.

INTRODUCTION: The association between oral health and vascular disease has been recently studied and it can be seen that periodontal disease can influence health at all. On the other hand, atherosclerosis is a progressive disease with accumulation of fibrotic and inflammatory elements resulting in endothelial lesions, and increase of incidence when associated to chronic inflammations. It is known the association between Porphyromonas gingivalis and heart diseases, as this microorganism has been found in atheroma plaques, as other periodontal pathogens.OBJECTIVE: Search information in literature that confirms the relationship between periodontal disease and hyperlipidemia associated to vascular disease.METHODS: For this article revision, an online search has been made in scientific libraries such as the Virtual Library in Health (BVS, Bireme); PubMed; Digital Brazilian Theses and Dissertations (BDTD) from 2000 to 2014, using as key words periodontal disease, vascular disease, hyperlipidemia.CONCLUSION: It has been confirmed by some authors the relation between periodontal disease and hyperlipidemia, otherwise, some contradictory results due to risk factors such as age, food intake and social and cultural factors. Mechanisms in which these factors acts in this progression still have not been clear.