Toxocara seroprevalence and childhood asthma among Malaysian children.
BACKGROUND
The larva of Toxocara spp., a common animal roundworm, may infect non-compatible hosts, causing a profound immunological reaction with marked eosinophil and IgE responses, not unlike in atopy. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of Toxocara exposure in 66 asthmatic and 58 non-asthmatic children.


METHODS
Exposure to Toxocara was determined by examining the serum samples of the children for specific IgG antibodies to L2 Toxocara larvae, using a commercially available diagnostic kit.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the mean age, sex, social class, residence type and presence of domestic pets at home between the two children groups. Children with bronchial asthma were observed to have higher Toxocara seropositivity than that of the non-asthmatic controls (21.2 vs 8.6%, P=0.047).


CONCLUSIONS
The observed relationship between exposure to Toxocara infection and bronchial asthma in Malaysian children warrants further evaluation. An understanding of any possible contribution to the pathogenesis of childhood asthma provides a potential avenue for prevention.
Chan
P W
PW
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. patrick@medicine.med.um.edu.my
Anuar
A K
AK
Fong
M Y
MY
Debruyne
J A
JA
Ibrahim
J
J
D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology*