Produção Nacional
Revisado por pares
Seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. in children with atopy
2014; Oxford University Press; Volume: 108; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1093/trstmh/tru165
ISSN1878-3503
AutoresDaliane Faria Grama, Susana Angélica Zevallos Lescano, Kelem Cristina Pereira Mota, Brunna dos Anjos Pultz, Juliana Silva Miranda, Gesmar Rodrigues Silva Segundo, Ernesto Akio Taketomi, Karla P. Fernandes, Jean Ezequiel Limongi, Fabiana Martins de Paula, Pedro Paulo Chieffi, Márcia Cristina Cury,
Tópico(s)Insects and Parasite Interactions
ResumoEpidemiological studies around the world suggest that infection with Toxocara spp. can contribute to the development or worsening of atopic diseases, especially in children. This study investigated the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in atopic children treated at the pediatric clinic of the Federal University of Uberlândia Clinical Hospital, identifying possible relationships with risk factors. The study was conducted between November 2011 and March 2013. Blood samples were collected from 173 children aged 6 to 15 years, who were first subjected to clinical exams and then to a skin-prick test to determine the presence or absence of atopy. Risk factors for toxocariasis were analyzed based on a questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies to Toxocara spp. by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. was 19.6% (24/122) in atopic children and 15% (8/51) in non-atopic children, with no statistical difference. No significant association was found between infection and possible risk factors in atopic and non-atopic children. Although no statistical association was found between human toxocariasis and atopy, this study revealed a high seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. in children that may indicate environmental contamination with the parasite's eggs in the area where these children live.
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