A Survey on the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and related risk factors in Eosinophilic Children of Northwest Iran

Abstract

Background: Toxocariasis is a serious zoonotic helminthic disease caused by the nematodes; Toxocara species.
 Aim: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and related risk factors in eosinophilic children referred to the pediatrics hospital of Qazvin province northwest Iran during 2019-2020.
 Methods: A total of 200 blood samples were collected from eosinophilic children referred to the Qods Pediatrics Hospital. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, and dogs- and soil-contact history were collected. The presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibody was evaluated by T. canis IgG ELISA kit.
 Results: Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies were detected in 14 (7%) of the total eosinophilic children. The seropositive rate of toxocariasis in hyper-eosinophilic children (>1000/mm3) was 15.1%, while the seropositivity was 4.1% in children with eosinophilia status (500-999/mm3). There was a significant association between the eosinophilia rate and seropositivity (P<0.05). Also, seroprevalence in asymptomatic eosinophilic children was 4.4%, while in children with clinical symptoms it was 17.1%. Accordingly, a statistically significant difference was found between clinical symptoms and Toxocara infection (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: The prevalence of toxocariasis in eosinophilic children is a serious health problem in the study area. Therefore, serologic evaluation for the diagnosis of Toxocara infection is recommended for eosinophilic children.
 Keywords: Seroprevalence; Toxocariasis; anti-Toxocara antibody; Eosinophilia children; Qazvin; Iran.

Editorial I: So, who wins? It is still: NCDs 3; Infections 2

“…[36][37][38][39][40][41][42] The non-communicable diseases theme is then followed by infectious diseases, ranging from HIV, [43][44][45][46][47][48][49] the COVID-19 pandemic, [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57] and others. [58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66] We conclude the issue with a hybrid of papers [67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75] akatogo of sorts! Finally, we wish to thank our volunteers; editorial team and board; reviewers, authors, readers; and partners through AJPP and others, who, in one way or another, contributed to the sustainability and growth of AHS, as we continue our struggle to enhance publication of high-quality health science papers in Africa, the diaspora, and beyond.…”