Human toxocariasis in rural Brazilian Amazonia: seroprevalence, risk factors, and spatial distribution.
This population-based cross-sectional study of 403 rural settlers in Brazilian Amazonia revealed an overall rate of IgG seropositivity to Toxocara canis excretory-secretory larval antigen of 26.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.5-31.4%). Multilevel logistic regression analysis identified current infection with hookworm (odds ratio [OR], 2.32; 95% CI, 1.11-4.86) and residence in the most recently occupied sectors of the settlement (OR, 1.81; 95%CI, 1.3-2.52) as significant risk factors for Toxocara seropositivity; age > 14 years (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28-0.73) and the presence of cats in the household (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.32-1.02) appeared to be protective. Two significant high-prevalence clusters were detected in the area, together comprising 38.9% of the seropositive subjects; households in the clusters had slightly lower socioeconomic status and were less likely to have cats as pets. The obstacles for controlling human toxocariasis in this and other tropical rural settings are discussed.
Rubinsky-Elefant
Guita
G
Laboratory of Seroepidemiology and Immunobiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. guitare@usp.br
da Silva-Nunes
Mônica
M
Malafronte
Rosely S
RS
Muniz
Pascoal T
PT
Ferreira
Marcelo U
MU
D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000276:immunology*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G