Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis in the city of Catania, Italy.

Toxocariasis is one of the most common helminthiases worldwide. However, there is a lack of data regarding Southern Italy. We have evaluated the seroprevalence and associated environmental factors of toxocariasis in a sample of adults living in the city of Catania. Presence of anti-Toxocara canis...

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Main Authors: Alessandra Nicoletti, Calogero Edoardo Cicero, Antonia Mantella, Loretta Giuliano, Cristina Rascunà, Vincenza Paradisi, Alessandro Bartoloni, Mario Zappia, Vito Sofia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2019-04-01
Series:Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://www.mjhid.org/index.php/mjhid/article/view/3912
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Summary:Toxocariasis is one of the most common helminthiases worldwide. However, there is a lack of data regarding Southern Italy. We have evaluated the seroprevalence and associated environmental factors of toxocariasis in a sample of adults living in the city of Catania. Presence of anti-Toxocara canis IgG antibodies was searched using an ELISA test using excretory/secretory antigens. Environmental risk factors have beene valuated with a face-to-face questionnaire. Two hundred eighty-seven subjects (mean age of 48.1±15.6 years) were enrolled, and presence of anti T. canis antibodies was found in 23 participants, of whom 18 (78.3%) were women with a mean age of 51.1±14.0 years, giving a seroprevalence of 8.0% (95%CI 5.4-11.7). At multivariate analysis a positive association for subjects with more than 3 siblings (adjOR 3.17; 95%CI 1.09-9.25) was recorded. Our study confirms that exposition to T. canis is common also in urban areas of western countries.
ISSN:2035-3006