Serosurvey of anti-Toxocara canis antibodies in people experiencing homelessness and shelter workers from São Paulo, Brazil.
Parasit Vectors
; 15(1): 373, 2022 Oct 17.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36253837
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Despite being one of the most prevalent helminth parasitic zoonoses worldwide and particularly in socioeconomically vulnerable populations, toxocariasis remains to be fully investigated in persons experiencing homelessness. Accordingly, the present study has aimed to assess the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxocara spp. exposure in persons experiencing homelessness and shelter workers from a day-shelter in São Paulo city, Brazil.METHODS:
Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to assess the risks for toxocariasis.RESULTS:
Overall, anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies were detected in 89/194 (45.9%, 95% CI 39.0-52.9%) persons experiencing homelessness, twice as high (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.245-3.873; P = 0.0089) than the frequency of 22/79 (27.8%, 95% CI 19.2-38.6) in shelter workers. College education was the only protective factor for Toxocara spp. exposure (OR 0.23; P = 0.018) revealed by logistic regression.CONCLUSIONS:
Although indicating a multifactorial origin of toxocariasis, the present study has assessed a highly vulnerable population with high disease risks and premature death. Thus, the living conditions of the homeless population have influenced the high prevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies verified here compared with domiciled shelter workers. Despite being less exposed, shelter and other outdoor workers may present an occupational risk to toxocariasis. Future studies should establish whether such environmental exposure might occur in persons experiencing homelessness in other regions worldwide.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Pessoas Mal Alojadas
/
Toxocaríase
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Parasit Vectors
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil