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.
Department of Pure and Applied Biology, Imperial College, London, UK.
D A
DA
Bundy
D E
DE
Thompson
B D
BD
Robertson
E S
ES
Cooper
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