Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxocariasis in children with hypereosinophilia in Iran

Raziani, Yosra; Sepahvand, Azadeh; Masoori, Leila; Baharvand, Parastoo; Mahmoudvand, Hossein

doi:10.22092/ari.2024.367534.3403

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxocariasis in children with hypereosinophilia in Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

¹ Nursing Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, 51001 Hillah, Babylon, Iraq

² Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

³ Razi Herbal Medicines

⁴ Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

⁵ Tehran University of Medical Sciences

10.22092/ari.2024.367534.3403

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a significant parasitic disease with a global distribution, caused by two nematodes: Toxocara canis (a parasite of the dog’s small intestine) and Toxocara cati (a parasite of the cat’s small intestine). Eosinophilia, characterized by an elevation in peripheral blood eosinophil counts exceeding 10%, serves as a significant clinical marker for helminthic infections. This study aims to investigate the seroepidemiology of Toxocara canis and its risk factors in children with hypereosinophilia in Lorestan province, Western Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to June 2023, involving a cohort of 300 children aged 2 to 15 years who presented with eosinophilia (>10%) and were referred to healthcare facilities in Lorestan province. Children who were younger than 12 years (between 2-12 years), had blood eosinophil counts exceeding 10%, who consented to engage in this study were deemed to fulfill the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of toxocariasis was confirmed serologically by detecting human IgG antibodies utilizing commercially available anti-IgG-T. canis kits. Demographic and some risk factors regarding the enrolled subjects, including gender, age, type of residence, consuming unwashed vegetables and fruits, and history of animal contact were collected. Out of a total of 300 children with eosinophilia, 35 (11.7%) were identified as seropositive for toxocariasis. Specifically, girls participants were less likely to contract toxocariasis than their boy children [P=0.002, OR=0.184 (0.052-0543)]. Additionally, individuals living in urban environments exhibit a 4.54-fold increased likelihood of contracting toxocariasis compared to their rural counterparts [P=0.010, OR=4.546 (1.433-9.419)]. Furthermore, individuals who did not consume unwashed /vegetables demonstrated a reduced risk of toxocariasis infection [P=0.001, OR=0.016 (0.005-0.048)]. The findings of our study indicated a significant seroprevalence of toxocariasis among children exhibiting eosinophilia in Western Iran. This suggests that toxocariasis should be regarded as a potential etiological factor for eosinophilia, particularly in individuals with a history of utilizing unwashed fruits and vegetables, as well as those residing in rural regions of Iran.

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