Resumen

GARCIA-PEDRIQUE, María Eugenia et al. Prevalence of infection by Toxocara in schoolchildren in the community of El Moján, Zulia state, Venezuela. Invest. clín [online]. 2004, vol.45, n.4, pp.347-354. ISSN 0535-5133.

The systemic Toxocariasis or migrant larva is a helmintozoonosis caused by the migration of nematode larvae through human tissues mainly, of the canine helminth Toxocara canis, which can infect humans, especially children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-T. canis antibodies in an infantile population. Serum samples of 73 children of either sex with ages between 4 and 6 years yere examined. The determination of anti-Toxocara antibodies was carried out through an ELISA test (using excretory/secretory antigen from the Toxocara larvae). The statistical analysis was carried out through the Chi square test, the Fisher exact test and the correlation of Spearman. The overall prevalence of infection was 9,72%, the highest percentage (50%) was observed in 4 year-old children (3/6), there were significant differences among the ages. No differences were observed with regard to sex. An inverse correlation was observed between the age and ELISA positivity. These results suggest that the toxocariasis is frequent in children from this community.

Palabras clave : Toxocariasis; prevalence; schoolchildren.