title: Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxocara infection among children in Shandong and Jilin provinces, China.
abstract: This cross-sectional study was aimed to investigate the Toxocara serology in children in Shandong and Jilin provinces, China using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall Toxocara seroprevalence among the study population (n=1458) was 19.3%, sick children (26.4%) had significantly higher seroprevalence than clinically healthy children (14.4%) (P<0.05), and the highest Toxocara seroprevalence was found in children suffering from chronic cough (40.6%), followed by recurrent abdominal pain (40.0%), recurrent headache (38.1%), slight fever (36.2%), and recurrent vomiting (31.6%). Place of residence, education level, type of school, keeping dogs at home, contact with dogs and cats and exposure with soil were found to be associated with Toxocara infection. Our findings show that children infection with Toxocara is common in Shandong and Jilin provinces, eastern and northeastern China, indicating an immediate need for implementing strategies and measures to prevent and control Toxocara infection in children in China.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.affiliation: Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, Jilin Province 130000, PR China.
authors.forename: Qing-Feng
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: The First Affilliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130000, PR China.
authors.forename: Hai-Long
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: Affilliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266000, PR China.
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Wendeng Stomatological Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province 264400, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Weihaiwei People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province 264200, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Wendeng Municipal Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province 264400, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Yang
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China.
authors.forename: Ai-Dong
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, PR China. Electronic address: xingquanzhu1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xing-Quan
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Children; Eastern and northeastern China; Risk factors; Seroprevalence; Toxocara; Toxocariasis