The prevalence of toxocariasis in children from 6 to 14 years old in Iran

Toxocariasis is caused by Toxocara nematodes or also known as roundworms. This disease commonly infects dogs and cats. Humans can ingest the eggs of Toxocara and become accidental hosts. The three forms of Toxocara infections affecting humans are visceral larva migrans (VLM), ocular larva migrans (OLM), and nervous larva migrans.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxocariasis in children in Iran. From June 2916 to December 2017, 182 serum samples were collected from children aged 6 to 14 years old. The presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibody of T. canis was detected by using IgG ELISA kit. A questionnaire was used to collect all the demographic data, clinical signs, and history of exposure to dogs and cats. 

Of the 182 participants, 53.3% were male and 46.7% female. Only three cases revealed antibodies against T. canis. The average age of positive patients were 8 and 1 yr. Two children out of three presented a history of contact with dogs, and the most common sign in all positive cases was abdominal pain.

This study showed a low prevalence of toxocariasis in Iranian children.

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Seroepidemiological Study of Toxocariasis in Children Aged 6–14 Year Old in Sanandaj, Western Iran