Prevalência e fatores associados à presença de anticorpos anti-Toxocara spp. em doadores de sangue de Presidente Prudente, São Paulo.

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by Toxocara canis and T. cati, parasites of the dogs and cats, respectively. The disease occurs mostly amongst children, but may affect adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in 253 blood donors, aging 19 up to 65 years old, in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo. ELISA test was performed for detection of the IgG antibodies. A survey was applied in order to evaluate the possible factors associated to the presence of antibodies, including individual (gender and age), socioeconomic (scholarship and familial income) and habit information (contact with soil, geophagy, onicophagy and intake of raw/undercooked meat) as well as the presence of dogs or cats in the household. Bivariate analysis was performed in order to evaluate the potential risk factors. The overall prevalence observed in this study was 8.7% (22/253). Contact with soil was the variable associated with the presence of antibodies (p= 0.006; OR = 4.08; IC 95%= 1.456-11.431). Although considered not associated with a ELISA positive test, 45% of the individuals answered having the behavior of eating raw/undercooked meat. Educational programmes are necessary in order to reduce the infection of the adult population by visceral/ocular larva migrans agents.