Seroepidemiology of Toxocariasis in Children (5-15 yr Old) Re¬ferred to the Pediatric Clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital, Isfahan, Iran
Hosseini-Safa، Ahmad نويسنده Department of parasitology and Mycology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, , , MOUSAVI، Seyed Mohammad نويسنده Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran MOUSAVI, Seyed Mohammad , BAHADORAN BAGH BADORANI، Mehran نويسنده Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran BAHADORAN BAGH BADORANI, Mehran , GHATREH SAMANI، Mehdi نويسنده Dept. of Immunology Isfahan university of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran GHATREH SAMANI, Mehdi , MOSTAFAEI، Shayan نويسنده Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of public Health, Isfahan University of medical sciences, Isfahan, Iran MOSTAFAEI, Shayan , Yousofi Darani، Hossein نويسنده Parasitologist, Professor, Dept of Parasitology, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord ,
Background: Human toxocariasis, a helminthozoonosis, is due to the migration of Toxocara species larvae into human organisms. Humans, especially children become infected by ingesting of embryonated eggs from soil, dirty hands, and raw vegetables. Seroprevalence of this infection is high in developed countries, especially in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of Toxocariasis in children referred to the pediatric clinic of Imam Hossein hospital, Isfahan, Iran.
Methods: In this cross sectional study the sera of children aged 5 to 15 years old, admitted to Imam Hossein Pediatric Hospital were collected during 2013-14. Then the sera were examined for anti Toxocara canis antibodies using commercial ELISA kit.
Results: From 427 children, 196 (45.9%) were female and 231(54.1%) were male. 107(25.1%) were from rural and 320 (74.9%) were from urban area. Of them 129 (30.2%) were contacted with dog. One child (0.2%) had hypereosinophilia, 33 (7.7%) eosinophlia, and 6 (1.39%) were positive for T. canis IgG (two male and four female). Four of infected children with T. canis were from urban (1.25%) and two from rural areas (1.9%). There was no significant correlation between education of parents, gender, age, place of living and contact with dog with ELISA results test.
Conclusion: Toxocariasis is prevalent in the children of Isfahan region. Results suggest a low Toxocara exposure in children in this area. Therefore, more risk factors associated with Toxocara exposure should be identified in the further investigation.