Toxocara Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among Ilam Children, West of Iran

Human toxocariasis is caused by Toxocara canis and cati, which are the main ascarids of dogs and cats, respectively. Most infected humans are asymptomatic and our understanding of human disease burden is limited by lack of epidemiological studies and insufficient clinical awareness. There is no precise report on the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in Ilam children. Therefore, this study found an opportunity to investigate this subject. In this cross-sectional study, 300 sera of children aged between 2 to 15 years old were collected during March 2016 to February 2017 in urban and rural areas. Demographic variables were filled for each person in accordance with risk factors along with sampling. Some hematological parameters were measured. The sera were examined for anti Toxocara canis and cati antibodies, according to the ELISA kit protocol. Among a total of 300 serum samples, 35 (11.7%) were positive for anti-Toxocara IgG. The infection rates were 5.3% and 6.3% in female and male, respectively. There was no significant relationship between gender and Toxocara infection rates (P = 0.59). A total of 26 (17.3%) of the 150 rural children, and nine (6.0%) of the 150 urban children were positive. There was a significant relationship between place of living with ELISA tests results (P = 0.004). Hematologic parameters showed a significant increase in the numbers of peripheral eosinophil in the sample of patients whose sera were positive (P = 0.037). High prevalence of toxocariasis among Ilam children in the west of Iran can be considered as a public health problem. The evaluating infection control programs in dog and cats are necessary for controlling the disease in this region.