Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxocara canis Infection in Children (2–15 Years Old) Referred to Health Centers of Lorestan Province, Iran

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxocara canis infection in children (2–15 years old) referred to health centers of Lorestan province, Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed from August 2016 to March 2017 on 316 children. All serum samples were tested using the commercially available anti IgG-Toxocara kit (IBL, Germany) according to manufacturer's instructions. Of the 316 children, 14 (4.4%) tested seropositive for anti-T.canis IgG antibody. The variables used to evaluate association between risk factors and status of anti-T. canis IgG antibodies were age, gender, area of residence, eosinophilia, contact with dogs, and consumption of raw or unwashed vegetables and fruits. Risk factors that were significantly related to T. canis seropositivity included living in rural regions (p = 0.018) and contact with dogs (p = 0.001). However, other demographic and risk factors did not demonstrate any association with T. canis seropositivity. To conclude, we found that T. canis infection is prevalent among children (2–15 years old) referred to health centers of Lorestan province, Iran with an overall seroprevalence rate of 4.4%. These findings may be a warning for health centers to pay special attention to toxocariasis among children (2–15 years old) and design screening programs for its prevention.

The infection with Toxocariasis in Kirkuk city, Iraq

“…Also, Nourian et al [29] agreed with our study determined 4.4% cases in rural areas and 1.6% cases in urban areas. Similar results also reported in another study [42] which reported 11.9% cases in rural areas and 2.1% cases in urban areas.…”

Seroepidemiology and risk factors of toxoplasmosis among children age ranged from 1 to 14 years referred to medical diagnostic laboratories in Southeast Iran

“…20 Our finding showed similar prevalence which reported in Shiraz (18.26%) 21 , while lower prevalence was reported in Lorestan (4.4%). 22 Other studies in Tehran and Mazandaran reported higher prevalence than our study, but lower than the national seroprevalence. 23,24 The Seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection was showed a wide range from 4 to 84% depending on the environmental and socio-economic conditions from different parts of the world.…”

Seroprevalence of Human Toxocariasis in Children (5–15-Year-Old) Using ELISA Method in Ardabil District, North-West of Iran

“…In the current study, no statistically significant differences were seen between seropositivity to Toxocara infection and eating un-cooked/raw vegetable. There was no significant difference between consumption of raw/unwashed vegetables and T. canis seropositivity in children (2–15 yr old) referred to Health Centers of Lorestan Province, Iran ( 32 ). Children having history of eating raw vegetable are more infected with Toxocara (36.84%) compare with children have not history of eating raw vegetable (25.84%) ( 19 ).…”