Saber
versión On-line ISSN 2343-6468
Resumen
CERMENO, JULMAN; HOUDA, SAMER; SALVADOR, NICOLA y SALAVERRIA, CARLOS. SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH Toxocara canis INFECTION IN LA LAGUNA TOWN, ANZOÁTEGUI STATE, VENEZUELA . Saber [online]. 2016, vol.28, n.1, pp.62-72. ISSN 2343-6468.
To determine the seroprevalence of Toxocara canis infection in the town La Laguna, Anzoátegui state, a prospective study was performed. After informed written consent was obtained from participants, the subjects were surveyed to collect clinical, epidemiological and socioeconomic data. Blood samples were obtained for hematological analysis, in order to detect specific anti-T. canis IgG antibodies by ELISA and serum IgE levels. A sample of 142 persons was evaluated. An estimate of 29.5% had IgG antibodies against T. canis predominantly between 0-5 years (13.7%); there were no differences either by gender or age (p > 0.05). Families with lowest income were mostly affected (72.1%) and most of their houses lacked sidewalks (21.0%; p = 0.018). Only deworming of dogs was associated with T. canis infection (p = 0.034). IgG titers are accompanied by slight eosinophilia, suggesting a possible parasitic infection. A high seroprevalence of T. canis infection was found in the population evaluated, hence the infection should be considered in children at risk, such as those in contact with dogs, living in houses that lack sidewalks, those in contact with soil and have poor personal hygiene. The importance that health authorities should allocate to this infection in underlined, which usually is not recognized as a public health concern.
Palabras clave : Children; deworming; immunoglobulin E; toxocariasis; zoonoses.