Age-relationships of Toxocara canis seropositivity and geohelminth infection prevalence in two communities in St. Lucia, West Indies

ABSTRACT

Sera were examined from an age-stratified sample of two Caribbean communities using the Toxocara-Elisa with larval Es antigen. Seropositivity was markedly age dependent, attaining maximal values (40 and 60 percent) in 5-15 year olds and declining in adults. The rate of acquisition of infection with Toxocara canis and the age-prevalence profile are similar to those of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. It is suggest that toxocariasis is likely to be prevalent in tropical areas with endemic geohelminthiasis.(AU)