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Risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in populations of children from nine cities in southern Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2014

A.A. Marchioro*
Affiliation:
College Inga, Uninga 87070-000, Brazil
C.M. Colli
Affiliation:
Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, State University of Maringá, Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue, CEP 87020-900Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
É.C. Ferreira
Affiliation:
Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, State University of Maringá, Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue, CEP 87020-900Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
B.M. Viol
Affiliation:
Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, State University of Maringá, Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue, CEP 87020-900Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
S.M. Araújo
Affiliation:
Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, State University of Maringá, Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue, CEP 87020-900Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
A.L. Falavigna-Guilherme
Affiliation:
Environmental Parasitology Laboratory, State University of Maringá, Block I-90, 5790 Colombo Avenue, CEP 87020-900Maringá, Paraná, Brazil
*
*Fax: +55 44 3018 4486 E-mail: ariella_86@hotmail.com

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.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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