Toxocaral and toxoplasmal antibodies in cat breeders and in Icelanders exposed to cats but not to dogs.

Abstract

8Platts-Mills TAE, Snajdr MI, Ishizaka K, Frankland AW. Measurement of IgE antibody by an antigen-binding assay; correlation with PK activity and IgG and IgA antibodies to allergens.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Toxocara canis Infection in Children

“…In India, boys had double the infection rate (41.9%) of girls (20.4%) in the 1 to 16 years old age group [14] which was similar to that reported in children in Brazil, with 66.7% prevalence in boys and 33.3% in girls [8]. The eradication of dogs in Iceland during the forties resulted in the disappearance of Toxocariasis in humans by the early eighties [17]. A study in Brazil showed an association between increased levels of Toxocara antibodies in children and the presence of young dogs and contact with their feces [7].…”

Seroepidemiology of Toxocara canis infection among mountain aboriginal schoolchildren living in contaminated districts in eastern Taiwan

“…1978). Nevertheless, the presence of dogs seems to be important for the determination of human infection, as the eradication of dogs in Iceland during the 1940s led to the disappearance of human Toxocara infection in that country at the beginning of the 1980s (Woodruff et al. 1982).…”

“…Some authors reported a higher frequency of infection for individuals who maintained contact with dogs (Matsumura & Endo 1983); while others found no association of ownership and professional contact with dogs with the frequency of Toxocara infection (Woodruff et al 1978). Nevertheless, the presence of dogs seems to be important for the determination of human infection, as the eradication of dogs in Iceland during the 1940s led to the disappearance of human Toxocara infection in that country at the beginning of the 1980s (Woodruff et al 1982).…”

Parasitic Diseases

“…Studies of stray or shelter animals the source of infection is probably environmental. 616,636,637 Other reported risk factors for seroconversion include pica, living in rural areas, visiting a playground frequently, developmental delay in children, reduced IQ scores in children, low socioeconomic status, frequent playing in a sandbox, and frequent contact with soil. 631 -633 It is unclear whether the apparent risk of pet ownership is because of household environmental contamination that results from owning a dog or whether there may be other factors involved such as increased exposure to potentially contaminated external environmental sites (i.e., public parks) in dog -owning families.…”