title: Risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in populations of children from nine cities in southern Brazil.
abstract: This study investigated the epidemiological factors that contribute to the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. in children from Paraná state, Brazil. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to T. gondii were detected using indirect immunofluorescence, and IgG antibodies to Toxocara were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For each individual, a questionnaire was completed that contained epidemiological and clinical data. The data analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression. Of the 544 children investigated, 3.2% presented co-infection with T. gondii and Toxocara spp. Of this total, 7.4% were positive for antibodies to T. gondii, and 25% were positive for antibodies to Toxocara spp. The presence of antibodies to Toxocara spp. increased the risk of T. gondii infection (P = 0.029). Children who were 1-8 years of age were less infected by T. gondii than those who were 9-12 years of age. The variables that influenced positivity for anti-Toxocara spp. were the origin of the children and contact with sand. Children with positive serology for Toxocara spp. presented more eosinophilia compared with those with non-reactive serology. Infection with both parasites reveals the need for preventive measures, such as guidance about modes of infection, parasite control and monitoring recreational areas.
authors.affiliation: College Inga,Uninga 87070-000,Brazil.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Marchioro
authors.affiliation: Environmental Parasitology Laboratory,State University of Maringá,Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue,CEP 87020-900Maringá,Paraná,Brazil.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Colli
authors.affiliation: Environmental Parasitology Laboratory,State University of Maringá,Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue,CEP 87020-900Maringá,Paraná,Brazil.
authors.forename: É C
authors.initials: ÉC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Environmental Parasitology Laboratory,State University of Maringá,Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue,CEP 87020-900Maringá,Paraná,Brazil.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Viol
authors.affiliation: Environmental Parasitology Laboratory,State University of Maringá,Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue,CEP 87020-900Maringá,Paraná,Brazil.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Environmental Parasitology Laboratory,State University of Maringá,Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue,CEP 87020-900Maringá,Paraná,Brazil.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Falavigna-Guilherme
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014119:Toxocara / Q000276:immunology; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G