Age-relationships of Toxocara canis seropositivity and geohelminth infection prevalence in two communities in St. Lucia, West Indies.
Sera were examined from an age-stratified sample of two Caribbean communities using the Toxocara-ELISA with larval ES antigen. Seropositivity was markedly age dependent, attaining maximal values (40 and 60%) in 5-15 year olds and declining in adults. The rate of acquisition of infection with Toxocara canis and the age-prevalence profile are similar to those of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. It is suggested that toxocariasis is likely to be prevalent in tropical areas with endemic geohelminthiasis.
Bundy
D A
DA
Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College, London, UK.
Thompson
D E
DE
Robertson
B D
BD
Cooper
E S
ES
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014119:Toxocara / Q000276:immunology; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014900:West Indies; D015047:Zoonoses
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth