title: Detection of Specific Antibody Reactivity toToxocaraLarval Excretory-secretory Antigens in Asthmatic Patients (5-15 Years).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Humans act as an intermediate host forToxocara canisandToxocara cati. Toxocara may be an important risk factor for asthma in humans. The aim of the present study was to evaluate immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-Toxocaracanis antibody, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in asthmatic patients (aged 5-15 years), referring to a clinic of pulmonary diseases in Arak, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this bi-group cross sectional study, serum samples were collected from 110 children with confirmed asthma and 70 children without asthma within one year. IgG anti-Toxocaraantibody was detectedviaELISAmethod. The collected data were analyzed, using SPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The seroprevalence of antibodies againstToxocaraspecies was estimated at 1.8% (two males) in asmathic childrenviaELISAmethod; however, no antibodies againstToxocaracanis were detected in the control group. There was no significant correlation between the frequency of antibodies againstToxocaraand variables such as age, gender, or place of residence (P>0.05). Moreover, the frequency of antibodies againstToxocarawas not significantly correlated with contact with dogs, consumption of unwashed fruits and vegetables, or use of raw/undercooked sheep liver (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study showed anti-Toxocaraantibody in 1.8% of asthmatic children and determined the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in asthmatic children and adolescents in Arak, Iran. Based on the findings, the low rate of infection withToxocaraamong asthmatic children may be attributed to acceptable personal hygiene and religious considerations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Medicine Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mosayebi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Medicine Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Latif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moini
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Medicine Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hajihossein
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Medicine Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Didehdar
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Medicine Faculty, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Eslamirad
keywords: Antibody; Asthma; Asthmatic children; ELISA; Embryonated eggs; Toxocariasis