Seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in andean communities from the Northeast of Lima, Peru

Yrma A. Espinoza, Pedro E. Huapaya, William H. Roldán, Susana Jiménez, Enma P. Abanto, Carlos A. Rojas, Yuri A. Cavero, César A. Gutiérrez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in three Andean communities from the Northeast of Lima, Peru. A total of 303 subjects including children and adults were studied and blood samples were collected to detect anti-Toxocara antibodies by ELISA-IgG test and by hematological examination; stool samples were collected also for parasitological examination. The overall seroprevalence of toxocariasis observed in the total population was 20.46%, with a significant high proportion in children from one to 10 years old (p = 0.034). Among the subjects with positive serology, 32.26% of them had respiratory disturbances, 22.58% hepatomegaly, 17.74% ocular signs or symptoms, 14.51% abdominal pain, 9.68% neurological involvement, and 4.84% cutaneous signs, but none of these clinical features were associated to a positive serology by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, 79.03% of seropositive subjects also harbored at least one intestinal parasite, which was associated to a positive serology (p < 0.05). The presence of pets within the houses, a previous history of pica or geophagia and the use of public places were also present in this population, but only the latter was associated to the serology (p < 0.05). In conclusion, clinical, serological, and epidemiological evidences for larval Toxocara infection were found in the studied population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-36
Number of pages6
JournalRevista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo
Volume52
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Keywords

  • Andean communities
  • Peru
  • Risk factors
  • Seroprevalence
  • Toxocariasis

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