The objectives of this study were to evaluate the contamination by eggs of Toxocara in sandy areas or grass lawns of outdoor recreation areas that are used by children, and the frequency of seroprevalence in children, from three cities of fewer than 45,000 inhabitants in Paraná, Brazil. From May 2005 to December 2007, five samples were taken from each of 13 sandy sites and 18 grass lawns, all from plazas and public schools. Blood samples from children aged 0-12 years were analysed by immunoassay for anti-Toxocara IgG. The soil samples were processed by floatation and sedimentation. Eggs of Toxocara spp. were present in 44.7% (38/85) of the samples from grassed areas and in 21.4% (15/70) of the sand samples. The lawns were 2.16 times more contaminated than the sand (P = 0.0009). However, the epidemiological variables showed no statistically significant difference between seropositive (36.8%; 130/353), and seronegative children. The rate of seropositivity was higher in children aged 0-5 years (P = 0.03), who were 1.94 times more likely to develop persistent wheezing (P = 0.02).
SUMMARYThe enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the most widely used tool to detect anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies for both serodiagnostic and seroepidemiological surveys on human toxocariasis. In the last eight years a high prevalence of toxocariasis (32.2-56.0%) has been reported in children attending public health units from municipalities in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Therefore, the aim of this work was to compare the frequency found among the general child population with that of children attending a public pneumology service in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil and describe the laboratorial, clinical and epidemiological findings. The research was conducted at the Consórcio Público Intermunicipal de Saúde do Setentrião Paranaense (CISAMUSEP) from July 2009 to July 2010 among children aged between one and 15 years. From a total of 167 children studied, only 4.2% (7/167) tested positive for anti-Toxocara spp. IgG antibodies and presented mild eosinophilia (2/7), increased serum IgE levels (6/7) and a positive allergy test for mites (5/7). The presence of pets (dogs or cats) at home did not correlate with the seroprevalence. In conclusion, cases of toxocariasis involving the respiratory tract are rare in children attending a public health pneumology unit in the northwestern region of Paraná State, despite the high prevalence of this type of toxocariasis among the infantile population attending Basic Health Units in the same geographical area.
OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação entre a presença de eosinofilia e a soropositividade para anticorpos IgG anti-Toxocara spp. em crianças atendidas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde no Noroeste do Paraná, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com crianças de sete meses a 12 anos, atendidas pelo Sistema Único de Saúde do Noroeste do Paraná, com teste ELISA para a pesquisa de anticorpos IgG anti-Toxocara spp. e contagem de eosinófilos (eosinofilia >600 células/mm³). RESULTADOS: Entre as 1.199 crianças, 386 (32,2%) apresentaram anticorpos IgG anti-Toxocara spp. A soroprevalência e a eosinofilia foram mais frequentes em crianças de sete meses a cinco anos. A eosinofilia foi observada em 7,8% dos pacientes soro-reagentes ao Toxocara spp.. CONCLUSÕES: Foi observada elevada prevalência de anticorpos anti-Toxocara spp., principalmente nos menores de cinco anos. Com exceção de algumas crianças que apresentaram sintomas respiratórios e presença de eosinofilia, a maioria foi assintomática e não mostrava eosinofilia. A pesquisa de eosinófilos é ferramenta secundária para o diagnóstico de toxocaríase.
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