Prevalência de Toxocaríase em crianças de uma escola pública de Belo Horizonte e fatores associados

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a zoonosis caused by Toxocara spp larva, and the main species involved are Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, intestinal worms from dogs and cats. In humans, the worm does not complete its cycle, and its larva, after been swallowed, perforates the intestinal wall, thus migrating through many human body organs, which can make the individual remain asymptomatic or present some type of syndrome, as an exemple: Visceral Larva Migrans. A high prevalence of toxocariasis has been observed in many countries worldwide, especially in tropical countries. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of toxocariasis and its associated factors in children from a public school in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, as well as treat and evaluate the treatment in seropositive children. This study examined 100 children, from whom data, regarding sociodemographics, lifestyle habits, self-reported health conditions, as well as characteristics related to housing and the presence of pets, were collected. In addition, clinical exams, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory exams (hemogram, total IgG, total IgE, and ELISA to detect anti-Toxocara spp. IgG antibodies) were carried out. The seropositive children underwent abdominal ultrasound, stool test, eye exam, received medical treatment and were reassessed by medical staff after three months. Of these children, 15% presented positive serology for toxocariasis. In the final multiple logistics regression model, the variables contact with the ground and BMI status (thinness) remained at a p-value of 0.025 and 0.030, respectively. After three months, the ELISA remained positive in four of them. Most of the blood tests were not significantly different after treatment. An epidemiologically significant prevalence of toxocariasis was found in the studied population. The childs contact with the ground was considered a risk factor for toxocariasis, while thinness was also associated with positive serology; nevertheless, it is impossible to affirm if this is in fact a condition that favors the infection or if it occurs after the onset of the infection itself. This study may help raise awareness strategies about the disease and shows the need for more studies in asymptomatic patients.