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Ha TV, Vo TTN, Dang DKH, Tran YML, Kim TV, Le DH, Do LAT, Tang HK. The seroprevalence of toxocariasis and related risk factors in children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: results from a school-based cross-sectional study. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2024; 118:384-390. [PMID: 38261661 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are especially vulnerable to Toxocara infection and its severe complications; however, there have not been any published data on the disease prevalence and treatment effectiveness in the population of Vietnamese children. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxocariasis and explore factors associated with Toxocara infection in children aged 3-15 y in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study using a multistage cluster sampling approach in public schools. Blood samples were collected, and toxocariasis cases were confirmed, based on a history of contact with dogs/cats and positive anti-Toxocara antibody detection via ELISA. We calculated the percentage of seropositive children across gender, grade levels, districts and caregiver education. Multiple regression models were employed to identify potential risk factors. RESULTS Anti-Toxocara antibodies were found in 14.2% of the 986 children studied. Significant variations in seropositivity were observed across grade levels, districts and caregiver education levels. Multivariable analysis identified caregiver education, contact with dogs/cats and improper handling of pet feces as seropositivity risk factors. CONCLUSION This was the first community-based prevalence study of toxocariasis in a pediatric population in Vietnam. Implementation of preventive measures such as public education, routine fecal examinations and chemotherapeutic treatment of animals is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thieu V Ha
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Str., Dist. 10, 72500, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital 2, 14 Ly Tu Trong Str., Dist. 1, 71000, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Tien T N Vo
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Str., Dist. 10, 72500, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Duy K H Dang
- Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Str., Dist. 10, 72500, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Y M L Tran
- Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Str., Dist. 10, 72500, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thanh V Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Str., Dist. 10, 72500, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Duc H Le
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Str., Dist. 10, 72500, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Lan-Anh T Do
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Str., Dist. 10, 72500, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hong K Tang
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Str., Dist. 10, 72500, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Santarém VA, Doline FR, Ferreira IB, Farinhas JH, Biondo LM, de Souza Filho RT, Pettan-Brewer C, Giuffrida R, Lescano SAZ, dos Santos AP, Kmetiuk LB, Biondo AW. One health approach to toxocariasis in Brazilian indigenous populations, their dogs, and soil contamination. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1220001. [PMID: 37744519 PMCID: PMC10517057 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1220001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although socioeconomic vulnerability and lifestyle factors may contribute to the transmission of Toxocara spp., no study has investigated indigenous populations in Brazil using the One Health approach. Methods Accordingly, this study assessed anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in Brazilian indigenous people and healthcare professionals by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Presence of Toxocara spp. eggs (feces and hair) in dogs as definitive hosts and in soil samples of the indigenous communities were also recovered and molecularly investigated. Results Overall, 342/463 (73.9%) indigenous individuals and 46/147 (31.3%) non-indigenous healthcare professionals were seropositive for Toxocara spp. In addition, T. canis eggs were retrieved from 9/194 (4.6%) dog fecal samples and 4/204 (2.0%) dog hair samples, mainly from the Paraná State communities (3/42; 7.1%). Soil contamination was observed only in the Paraná State communities (36/90; 40.0%), with the molecular detection of T. canis. River water consumption was also associated with indigenous seropositivity (Odds ratio, 11.4). Discussion Indigenous individuals in Paraná State communities were 2.72-fold more likely to be seropositive than those in São Paulo State, likely due to a lack of sanitary infrastructure. In this scenario, a primarily soil-transmitted disease may also have become waterborne, with embryonated eggs probably spread to water supplies by rain. Full-time healthcare professionals in daily contact with indigenous communities were 9.2-fold more likely to be seropositive than professionals who visited sporadically, suggesting exposure to Toxocara spp. during their work and raising health concerns. In addition, the findings herein showed a significantly higher seroprevalence in indigenous people than in healthcare workers (χ2 = 85.5; p < 0.0001), likely due to overtime exposure to Toxocara spp. In conclusion, Brazilian indigenous communities are highly exposed to toxocariasis, with poor infrastructure and contact with contaminated river water as associated risk factors and a higher risk of infection in healthcare professionals working full-time in these communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vamilton Alvares Santarém
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Rodrigo Doline
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Isabella Braghin Ferreira
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Henrique Farinhas
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Leandro Meneguelli Biondo
- National Institute of the Atlantic Forest (INMA), Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Santa Teresa, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | | | - Christina Pettan-Brewer
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Rogério Giuffrida
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Andrea Pires dos Santos
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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Magnaval JF, Bouhsira E, Fillaux J. Therapy and Prevention for Human Toxocariasis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020241. [PMID: 35208697 PMCID: PMC8875715 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
For the last four decades, knowledge about human toxocariasis with regard to its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical spectrum, and imaging or laboratory diagnosis has substantially progressed. Knowledge about specific therapy with anthelmintics has lagged behind. To date, only four drugs are registered for human use, and their efficacy has rarely been assessed in prospective controlled trials. It is likely that the repurposing of potent anthelmintics from veterinary medicine will improve this situation. Due to its wide availability and a lack of major side effects during short regimens, albendazole has become the drug of choice. However, its efficacy should be more precisely assessed. The role of anthelmintics in the treatment of neurological or ocular toxocariasis remains to be clarified. Prophylactic measures in humans or companion animals are efficient and represent first-line treatments for the control of this zoonosis. Unfortunately, their implementation in areas or countries where toxocariasis epidemiology is driven by poverty is quite difficult or unrealistic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Magnaval
- Service de Parasitologie Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Toulouse, 37 Allées Jules-Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Emilie Bouhsira
- Service de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France;
| | - Judith Fillaux
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Purpan, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, 330 Avenue de Grande-Bretagne, 31059 Toulouse, France;
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