National seroprevalence and risk factors for Zoonotic Toxocara spp. infection.
To estimate the prevalence of Toxocara spp. infection in a representative sample of the United States population >or= 6 years of age, sera from participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) were tested for antibodies to Toxocara. Among the 30,930 persons selected for the survey, 82% (N = 25,733) were interviewed, and 91% (N = 23,527) of those interviewed underwent physical examination of which 87% (N = 20,395) were tested. The age adjusted Toxocara seroprevalence was 13.9% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 12.5, 15.3), and was higher in non-Hispanic blacks (21.2%) than non-Hispanic whites (12%) or Mexican Americans (10.7%; P < 0.001). Increased Toxocara seropositivity was associated with head of household level of education (low versus high) (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2; CI: 1.8, 2.8), poverty (OR: 1.5; CI: 1.3, 1.8), elevated blood lead concentrations (OR: 1.4; CI: 1.1, 1.9), and dog ownership (OR: 1.2; CI: 1.1, 1.4). Toxocara infection is widespread and associated with specific risk groups.
Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vectorborne, and Enteric Diseases, CCID, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, USA. kfw7@cdc.gov
Kimberly Y
KY
Won
Deanna
D
Kruszon-Moran
Peter M
PM
Schantz
Jeffrey L
JL
Jones
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology*