Seroepidemiology of human toxocariasis in selected population groups in Slovakia: A cross-sectional study.
J Infect Public Health
; 13(8): 1107-1111, 2020 Aug.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32404252
BACKGROUND: Human toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan helminthic zoonosis caused by roundworms of the genus Toxocara. The study aimed at a cross-sectional analysis of seropositivity to Toxocara spp. in selected groups of population in Slovakia and an estimate of the risk factors of infection. METHODS: For the detection of anti-Toxocara antibodies, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on an excretory-secretory (E/S) antigen of Toxocara canis was used. RESULTS: The overall seropositivity to Toxocara in 1489 evaluated sera was 3.7%. The seropositivity of Roma children/young people (40.3%) was significantly higher when compared with all other analysed groups. Among adult respondents, the positivity of farmers and hunters (5.5% and 5.1%, respectively) was significantly higher (p<0.001) than in the other analysed groups (veterinarians and veterinary assistants, soldiers, students of veterinary medicine, and students of other universities). Analysis of infection risk factors showed that living in a rural locality, everyday contact with soil, and everyday outdoor activities (12.7%, 8.8% and 8.3% positivity, respectively) can increase the risk of infection, but the observed differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: The results underline the importance of preventive measures and the need for improving of knowledge of toxocariasis among professionals, as well as the public.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Toxocariasis
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Animals
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Child
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Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Infect Public Health
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Eslovaquia