Toxocara canis infection is associated with eosinophilia and total IgE in blood donors from a large Brazilian centre

Abstract

Summaryobjective To investigate the association between Toxocara canis infection and total IgE levels and eosinophilia in blood donors from a large Brazilian city.methods Two hundred and sixty-eight blood donors from a government blood bank were tested. No helminth infection was diagnosed by parasitological stool examination. Total IgE levels and T. canis infection status were determined by ELISA. Eosinophil levels were determined using an automatic blood cell counter.results Toxocara canis IgG antibodies were found in 124 (46.3%); 102 (38.0%) had eosinophilia ‡4% and 29 (10.8%) had eosinophilia ‡10%, respectively; 140 (52.2%) individuals had total IgE antibodies above the cut-off levels. Both total IgE and eosinophil levels ‡10% were positively associated with the infection.conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of T. canis infection in blood donors, highlighting the need for screening for this infection. It also demonstrated that this population otherwise healthy has higher levels of blood eosinophils and total IgE and that both parameters are associated with T. canis infection.

Anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in an adult healthy population: serosurvey and risk factors in Southeast Brazil

“…The global prevalence of toxocariasis in blood donors ranged from 0.70%依1.65% in New Zealand to 46.3% in northeast Brazil [5,12] . The overall prevalence in our study (8.7%) is comparable to the 7.0% and 10.6% verified, respectively, in blood donors from Australia and Argentina [9,10] .…”

“…In South America, the rates varied from 10.6% to 38.9% in Argentina, respectively [10,11] . In Brazil, there is a reported rate of 46.3% in northeast Brazil [12] . However, little is known about the risk factors for toxocariasis in voluntary blood donors.…”

A Systematic Review of Toxocariasis: A Neglected But High-Prevalence Disease in Brazil

“…10,[24][25][26][27][28][29][31][32][33][34][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] One study did not describe the diagnostic methodology applied. 35 As T. canis and T. cati cannot be distinguished serologically, we identified the study population as having toxocariasis.…”

Human Toxocariasis: Prevalence and Factors Associated with Biosafety in Research Laboratories

“…The overall prevalence rate in the entire study population was 14.9% (11/74), which was similar to that recorded in adults in Goiania (14.7%), 23 greater than that observed in São Paulo (8.7%) 5 and less than that observed in Salvador (46.3%). 4 It is worth emphasizing that prevalence rates vary according to the region and population studied. A higher level of education has also been associated with a lower positivity rate, 23,24 and our study confirms this.…”

“…in the adult population range from 8.7% to 46.3%. 4,5 The nematode Toxocara canis, an intestinal parasite of dogs, is the etiological agent most associated with toxocariasis. 2 In recent decades, there has been an increase in researchers related to the diagnosis and control of this disease.…”