title: Seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. in children with atopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiological studies around the world suggest that infection with Toxocara spp. can contribute to the development or worsening of atopic diseases, especially in children. This study investigated the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in atopic children treated at the pediatric clinic of the Federal University of Uberlândia Clinical Hospital, identifying possible relationships with risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted between November 2011 and March 2013. Blood samples were collected from 173 children aged 6 to 15 years, who were first subjected to clinical exams and then to a skin-prick test to determine the presence or absence of atopy. Risk factors for toxocariasis were analyzed based on a questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies to Toxocara spp. by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. was 19.6% (24/122) in atopic children and 15% (8/51) in non-atopic children, with no statistical difference. No significant association was found between infection and possible risk factors in atopic and non-atopic children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although no statistical association was found between human toxocariasis and atopy, this study revealed a high seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. in children that may indicate environmental contamination with the parasite's eggs in the area where these children live.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daliane Faria
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Grama
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (USP), Laboratório de Helmintologia, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Susana Zevallos
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Lescano
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kelem Cristina
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Pereira Mota
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Brunna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: dos Anjos Pultz
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Silva
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Pediatric allergist, Ambulatório de Pediatria, Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gesmar Rodrigues
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Silva Segundo
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Alergia e Imunologia Clínica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ernesto Akio
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Taketomi
authors.affiliation: Pediatric allergist, Ambulatório de Pediatria, Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karla Pereira
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jean Ezequiel
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Limongi
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabiana Martins
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (USP), Laboratório de Helmintologia, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Paulo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Chieffi
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil cury@umuarama.ufu.br.
authors.forename: Márcia Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cury
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014119:Toxocara / Q000276:immunology*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Atopic children; ELISA; Seroprevalence; Toxocariasis