engleski

Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis infection among asymptomatic children with eosinophilia in Croatia

The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of Toxocara canis (T. canis) infection among children with eosinophilia in Zagreb, Croatia. A total of 142 serum specimens from Croatian children with peripheral eosinophilia and without any clinical symptoms aged 3-18 years were tested for the presence of T. canis IgG antibodies using an ELISA and Western blot method. The overall T. canis seropositivity rate in the samples tested was 31%. There was no statistical difference in the seroprevalence rate between boys (32.1%) and girls (29.7%, X2= 0.092, P= 0.761). The T. canis seropositivity varied significantly between age groups both in boys (Fisher's test P<0.001) and girls (Fisher's test P=0.007). The highest seroprevalence rate was found in boys aged 11-14 (42.9%), and girls aged 7-10 (44.2%). Our results showed a high seroprevalence rate of T. canis infection among children with eosinophilia. It is important that testing for toxocarosis should be included in differential diagnosis of eosinophilia, especially in children.

Toxocara canis; seroprevalence; asymptomatic children; eosinophilia; risk factors

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