Seroepidemiology of Toxocara canis infection among mountain aboriginal schoolchildren living in contaminated districts in eastern Taiwan
Journal
Tropical Medicine and International Health
Journal Volume
9
Journal Issue
12
Pages
1312-1318
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Abstract
We conducted a seroepidemiological study of Toxocara canis infection among mountain aboriginal schoolchildren aged 7-12 years living in contaminated districts in eastern Taiwan, To detect sera IgG (?1:64) we used a T. canis larval excretory-secretory antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A short questionnaire elicited information on the practices of raising dogs, playing with soil, eating raw vegetables, or whether the child normally washed his/her hands before eating. The overall seroprevalence was quite high, reaching 76.6% (252/329). Neither age nor gender seemed to be important factors related to a positive serology. Aboriginal schoolchildren who raised dogs (OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.04-3.19, P = 0.03), or played with soil (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.49-4.25, P < 0.001) seemed to be more susceptible to T. canis infection than those who did not. Children who habitually washed their hands before eating (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.33-0.97, P = 0.04) had a lower chance of acquiring T. canis infection than those who did not.
SDGs
Other Subjects
antigen; immunoglobulin G; canid; child health; indigenous population; mountain environment; risk factor; Aborigine; article; confidence interval; controlled study; dog; eating habit; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; hand washing; human; infection sensitivity; male; microbial contamination; nonhuman; play; questionnaire; risk; school child; seroepidemiology; serology; seroprevalence; soil; Taiwan; Toxocara canis; toxocariasis; Age Distribution; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Child; Dogs; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Handwashing; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Oceanic Ancestry Group; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Taiwan; Toxocara canis; Toxocariasis; Asia; Eastern Hemisphere; Eurasia; Far East; Taiwan; World; Canis; Canis familiaris; Nematoda; Toxocara; Toxocara canis
Type
journal article