A serological and epidemiological evaluation of risk factors for toxocariasis in children in central Poland

Zarnowska, H; Borecka, Anna; Gawor, Jakub; Marczyńska, Magdalena; Dobosz, Sabina; Wojciech, Basiak

doi:10.1017/s0022149x08912372

Cited by 18 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Dog/cat contact has been recognized as a risk factor in several studies (28)(29)(30). Although the infection rate in this study is higher among those who had contact with dog/cat than others, this difference does not have analytical value and significance (P = 0.06).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 73%

Toxocara Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among Ilam Children, West of Iran

Khoshnood

Pestehchian

Hejazi

et al. 2018

Arch Pediatr Infect Dis

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Background: Human toxocariasis is caused by Toxocara canis and cati, which are the main ascarids of dogs and cats, respectively. Most infected humans are asymptomatic and our understanding of human disease burden is limited by lack of epidemiological studies and insufficient clinical awareness. Objectives: There is no precise report on the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in Ilam children. Therefore, this study found an opportunity to investigate this subject. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 sera of children aged between 2 to 15 years old were collected during March 2016 to February 2017 in urban and rural areas. Demographic variables were filled for each person in accordance with risk factors along with sampling. Some hematological parameters were measured. The sera were examined for anti Toxocara canis and cati antibodies, according to the ELISA kit protocol. Results: Among a total of 300 serum samples, 35 (11.7%) were positive for anti-Toxocara IgG. The infection rates were 5.3% and 6.3% in female and male, respectively. There was no significant relationship between gender and Toxocara infection rates (P = 0.59). A total of 26 (17.3%) of the 150 rural children, and nine (6.0%) of the 150 urban children were positive. There was a significant relationship between place of living with ELISA tests results (P = 0.004). Hematologic parameters showed a significant increase in the numbers of peripheral eosinophil in the sample of patients whose sera were positive (P = 0.037). Conclusions: High prevalence of toxocariasis among Ilam children in the west of Iran can be considered as a public health problem. The evaluating infection control programs in dog and cats are necessary for controlling the disease in this region.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 73%

Toxocara Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among Ilam Children, West of Iran

Khoshnood

Pestehchian

Hejazi

et al. 2018

Arch Pediatr Infect Dis

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“…The above observation may indicate that persistent high titers of antibodies may be due to superinfection in the place of residence. Similarly in the study by Żarnowska et al (2008) in about 40% of children from non-contaminated areas 2 years after treatment, specific anti- Toxocara antibody concentration decreased by 50%, in contrast to children from contaminated areas, where no such reaction was noted.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Analysis of the course and treatment of toxocariasis in children—a long-term observation

et al. 2011

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Toxocariasis is a helminthozoonotic disease caused by ascarid larvae of Toxocara genus: Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. In the reported study, the clinical course of toxocariasis and administered therapy were evaluated in 103 children. The majority of the children (68.9%) were from the rural environment, with a prevalence of boys (62.1%). At diagnosis of infection, 36 (35%) children reported recurrent abdominal pain, 19 (18.4%) headache, 6 (5.8%) loss of appetite, 2 subfebrile conditions, and 2 arthralgia, Moreover, 23 (22.3%) children demonstrated symptoms of atopic diseases; in 30 (29.1%) children, moderate enlargement of lymphatic nodes was noted. In five children (4.9%), ophthalmic examination revealed unilateral changes in the eye: in two cases retinitis; in one case fibrotic lesions in the vitreous body, complicated 1 year from diagnosis by retinal detachment; and in other children parafoveal lesions and cataract. Only two children with ocular changes at diagnosis reported visual disorders. In 64.3% of children, eosinophilia was observed. A covert form of the disease was diagnosed in 95.1% of the children and an ocular form in 4.9%. In all the children, antiparasitic treatment was implemented, repeated several times in some of them. After therapy, the mean titer of specific antibodies, the number of children with abdominal pains and enlarged lymphatic nodes were decreased, while headaches maintained at unchanged levels. In approximately one fourth of the children with negative results of antibodies after the therapy, the symptoms of the disease were still reported. Evaluation of the efficacy of treatment is not easy due to non-characteristic symptoms and low kinetics of specific anti Toxocara IgG decrease; however, high IgG titers suggest non-effective treatment of concomitant infection requiring subsequent therapy. Due to risk of ocular form, which may develop in any stage of the disease, irrespectively of specific antibodies concentrations, it seems justified to implement antiparasitic treatment in all children infected with T. canis.

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“…In Poland, in the period between 2002 and 2005, for children suspected of being infected with Toxocara spp. the seropositivity was about 75.6% [ 5 , 56 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variations in the Rate of Infestations of Dogs with Zoonotic Nematodes and the Contamination of Soil in Different Environments

Studzińska

Demkowska-Kutrzepa

Borecka

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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Companion animals are an important aspect in human life. However, they may also be considered a source of pathogens. An example of zoonotic parasitoses is toxocarosis or cutaneous larva migrans (CLM). The aim of the study was to detect zoonotic nematodes of dogs living in different areas and the intensity of contamination in parasite polluted environments that are hazardous to human health. The fecal samples were examined using standard flotation and decantation methods as well as McMaster’s quantitative technique. The soil samples in urban and rural areas were examined using a modified flotation method as described by Quinn et al. Statistical analyses were performed by IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23. The overall prevalence of parasites in dogs was 38%, 17.02% and 56.60% from urban and rural areas, respectively. The percentage values of nematodes important for human health (Toxocara canis, Ancylostomatidae, Trichuris vulpis) remained at the same level (16%). The infected dogs were dominated by a single parasite species, the main was T. canis (28.95%). In total, 54.30% of the soil samples were contaminated with parasite eggs. The contamination of urban and rural sandpits was 40% and 60%, respectively. The molecular examinations of soil samples using LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) confirmed the presence of nematode eggs of the species T. canis in all samples previously classified as positive

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A serological and epidemiological evaluation of risk factors for toxocariasis in children in central Poland

Cited by 18 publications

References 12 publications

Toxocara Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among Ilam Children, West of Iran

Toxocara Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among Ilam Children, West of Iran

Analysis of the course and treatment of toxocariasis in children—a long-term observation

Variations in the Rate of Infestations of Dogs with Zoonotic Nematodes and the Contamination of Soil in Different Environments

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