Seroprevalence of Toxocariasis and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adult Population in Kavar District, Fars Province, South of Iran: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Seroepidemiological Survey

Abstract

Toxocariasis as a common neglected disease is the culprit of infecting all age groups. The current cross-sectional study was designed to assess the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and risk factors associated with seropositivity of Toxocara infection among the general population of adults in the Kavar district, south of Iran. A total of 1060 participants with an age range of 35 to 70 years from the Kavar region entered the study. Manual ELISA was utilized to detect anti-Toxocara-specific antibodies in their serum samples. In addition, demographic information as well as risk factors related to toxocariasis was collected from individuals who participated in the survey. The mean age of the participants was 48.9 (±7.9) years old. Out of 1060 subjects, 532 (50.2%) were men, and 528 (49.8%) were women. The overall Toxocara seroprevalence was 5.8% (61/1060). The prevalence of Toxocara seropositive cases was significantly different between males and females ( p = 0.023). The seropositive rate for Toxocara infection was also significantly higher in housewives ( p = 0.003) and subjects with learning disabilities ( p = 0.008). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that housewives (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.18–3.51, p = 0.010) and subjects with learning disability (OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.29–8.52, p = 0.013) were at increased risk of Toxocara infection. The findings of the current study depicted a noticeable seroprevalence of Toxocara infection in the general population in the Kavar district, southern Iran. An increased risk of toxocariasis has been associated with learning disabilities and being a housewife. All of the toxocariasis-positive cases had contact with animals, at some point in their life. In perspective, it is necessary to raise awareness of this infection among the population while surveilling Toxocara infection in high-risk groups.

Seroprevalence and Potential Risk Factors of Toxocariasis among General Population in Southwest Iran: Implications on the One Health Approach

“…In our study, we found that the rate of IgG antibodies against Toxocara in general population of Abadan and Khorramshahr cities was 12.7%. This was higher than the findings reported by recent studies in Fars (5.8%) [ 24 ], Khorasan (8%) [ 30 ], and Tehran (11.7%) [ 31 ], although our estimates were lower than the seroprevalence identified in Mazandaran (23.5%) [ 32 ].…”

“…In our study, we found that the rate of IgG antibodies against Toxocara in general population of Abadan and Khorramshahr cities was 12.7%. This was higher than the findings reported by recent studies in Fars (5.8%) [24], Khorasan (8%) [30], and Tehran (11.7%) [31], although our estimates were lower than the seroprevalence identified in Mazandaran (23.5%) [32]. Similar results were found by studies from other parts of the world: Estonia (12.0%), China (12.25%), Turkey (12.95%), Poland (13.0%), Greece (16%), and Austria (16.8%) [33][34][35][36][37][38].…”

“…This integrated approach is essential for addressing complex issues related to zoonotic diseases. The overall seroprevalence of toxocariasis in Iran was found to be 9.3%, ranging from 0.84% to 29% [ 24 ]. The majority of these studies in Iran were conducted in school children, since it is usually regarded as a pediatric disease [ 25 ].…”

Design and expression of a chimeric recombinant antigen (SsIR-Ss1a) for the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis: Evaluation of performance, sensitivity, and specificity

“…stercoralis and other helminthic parasites, cross-reaction with toxocariasis and hydatidosis sera samples was observed. Previous studies conducted in Iran have indicated a significant seroprevalence of hydatidosis and toxocariasis [ 41 , 42 ]. If we do not consider the possibility of simultaneous infection in these subjects, the cause of cross-reactivity remains unclear.…”

Prevalence of antibodies toToxocara canisand its associated risk factors in socio‐economically deprived nomadic communities of Pakistan

“…In neonates, congenital transmission of T. canis had also been reported previously (Ikotun et al, 2020). In different countries, the prevalence of toxocariasis in human population fluctuates between 2% and 90%, especially among tropical and developing countries (Gyang et al, 2015; Pezeshkian et al, 2023). Its seropositivity is influenced by geographical, environmental, socio‐economic and cultural factors, including age, poverty, occupation, inherited and owned cats and dogs (Aghamolaie et al, 2019).…”