ABSTRACT

In this study, an ELISA with Toxocara canis antigen was used for the determination of sero-epidemiological survey of Toxocara canis infection in urban and rural areas of northwestern part of Turkey. Toxocara seroprevalance was detected among randomly selected 430 children in the rural areas and 141 children in the urban areas. Total seroprevalence rate of Toxocara antibodies was found as 12.95% in both groups. While significant levels of anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 73 out of 430 (16.97%) children from rural area while only one children (0.71%) had positive level of anti-Toxocara antibodies from urban area (p<0.001). In rural areas, anti-Toxocara antibodies were significantly higher in children who have a dog in their house than the children who have no dogs (53 vs. 20 children; p<0.01). Seropositivity rate of Toxocara antibodies were similar between age groups and genders (p>0.05). Based on these results, however total seroprevalence rate is lower than other countries, we have proposed that public health programs especially for children, may be effective for protecting from Toxocara infection.

Keywords: Toxocara canis, toxocariasis, Turkey, children