Socioeconomic factors associated with infection by Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis in children

Abstract

The intense contact of children with domestic animals or environments contaminated with faeces of these animals, together with habits related to lack of hygiene, can facilitate infection by zoonoses. The study evaluated the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in schoolchildren in the city of Jataizinho, Paraná. Of the 412 children aged 4–15 years, 56.8% (234/412) presented antibodies reactive to Toxoplasma gondii, 42.5% (175/412) presented antibodies reactive to Toxocara canis, and 27.4% (113/412) were reactive for the two species. The analysis of risk factors showed that prevalence of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis was associated with the level of education of the child's mother (less than eight years of schooling), age range (10–15 years) and the presence of cats in the residence. In addition, family income (up to a minimum wage), presence of a dog, the habit of playing in soil/sand and eosinophilia were associated with Toxocara canis infection. There was an association between the two zoonoses (p < .01), indicating the existence of coinfection. The results show high prevalence of these two important zoonoses, alerting to the need of implementing control measures in order to reduce the incidence and risks of sequelae in children.

Seroepidemiological Survey of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and Anti-Neospora caninum Antibodies in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) in Rolim de Moura, State of Rondônia, North Brazil

“…This can be an important infection route for T. gondii infection in the studied region, once it was reported in cases of feline [44] and human toxoplasmosis outbreaks in other regions of Brazil [45,46]. It is also important to highlight that T. gondii infection is more likely favored mainly due to inadequate hygiene, inadequate disposal of cat litter, and especially when one has the habit of gardening and agriculture [47,48].…”

Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. co-infection in pregnant women in low-income areas of Brazil

“…seropositivity in a general population survey of 13,509 individuals between 2011 and 2014 ( 42 ). Co-infection has also been reported in children, ranging from 3.2% (17/544) ( 43 ) to 27.4% (113/412) ( 27 ) in southern Brazil.…”

“…Despite the pregnant population of both studies being similar, the divergent outcome between studies may have been influenced by the higher number of pregnant women who declared their ownership of cats herein (n = 50) and previously (n = 38), which may have made it difficult to find statistically significant differences due to the low number of positive individuals. Likewise, owning cats has been reported as a risk factor for toxoplasmosis in some ( 66–69 ) but not all ( 27 , 45 , 70 ) serosurveys worldwide. Although seropositivity to toxoplasmosis herein was not influenced by the presence of cats in the household, increased odds of Toxocara spp.…”

“…Toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis have shared several associated risk factors, particularly due to low socioeconomic aspects ( 27 ). In addition to similar human organ targeting, both pathogens have been directly transmitted to the human hosts through the intake of raw or undercooked meat or viscera from intermediate hosts of T. gondii or paratenic hosts of Toxocara spp.…”

Quantitative Risk Assessment of Oocyst Versus Bradyzoite Foodborne Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in Brazil

“…For example, T. gondii seroprevalence in the state of Minas Gerais can range from 2.7 to 31.4%, a 10-fold difference [ 64 , 65 ]. Regional or individual food preparation, consumption preferences, and socioeconomic status can also alter exposure risk [ 52 , 66 ]. In addition to heterogeneity in regional parasite prevalence in foods, the consumption data we used from IGBE is supposed to be representative of consumption patterns by region, but these values are a population average.…”