title: Prevalence and risk factors associated with Toxocara canis infection in children.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine seroprevalence and identify risk factors associated with Toxocara canis infection. A clinical and epidemiological questionnaire and body mass index were used to assess the risk factors associated with human toxocariasis in 108 children with an age range of 2-16 years. Antibodies against Toxocara canis were detected using an ELISA test kit. Chi-square analysis and odds ratio (OR) were used to identify risk factors associated with Toxocara canis seropositivity. The prevalence of antibodies against Toxocara canis was greater (P = 0.02) in males than females (28.84% and 16.07%, resp.). Chi-square analysis and odds ratio revealed just one variable with P < 0.05, and OR > 1.0 was associated with seropositivity: the possession of dogs under one year old (OR = 1.78). Although not significant, the OR values suggest that other factors may be epidemiologically important for Toxocara presence such as not washing hands before meals, malnutrition, obesity, and use of public parks. Children in the age group >12 and <16 years old had higher seroprevalence to Toxocara canis (17.59%) than the >2 and <11 years old age group (4.62%). Toxocariosis infection needs to be prevented by pet deworming and hygienic measures after contact with dogs.
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario Amecameca, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, 56900 Amecameca, MEX, Mexico.
authors.forename: Camilo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romero Núñez
authors.forename: Germán David
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Mendoza Martínez
authors.forename: Selene
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yañez Arteaga
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ponce Macotela
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bustamante Montes
authors.forename: Ninfa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ramírez Durán
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology