Serological analysis of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati by ELISA in children from primary school in the province of Chimborazo
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Published:
Jun 23, 2025
Keywords:
Biochemistry, despistage, basic education children, Toxocara canis (parasite), Toxocara catis (parasite), elisa (method).
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Abstract
Introduction. Toxocariasis is a zoonosis caused by the larvae of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, with greater prevalence in rural areas where human-animal interaction is frequent. Children are a vulnerable group due to their regular contact with pets. Objective. To determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against Toxocara spp. by ELISA in the child population of a school in Chimborazo and its association with the presence of the parasite in domestic pets. Methodology. Cross-sectional study with 200 students, selecting a sample of 157 children. Serological tests were performed on 70 participants with frequent contact with pets. Fecal samples from dogs, cats, and children were collected for coproparasitological analysis using standardized techniques. Results. 50% of dogs and 50% of cats had Toxocara spp infection. By ELISA, anti-T. canis antibodies were detected in 15 children (21%) and anti-T. cati in 5 children (7%), representing a seroprevalence of 28%. A significant association was found between childhood seropositivity and infected pets (p<0.05). Conclusion. Zoonotic transmission of Toxocara spp. between children and pets is evidenced, with a seroprevalence of 28%. These findings underscore the need to implement educational programs on responsible pet ownership, preventive hygiene, and periodic deworming, especially in rural school settings. General Study Area: Laboratory. Specific area of study: Parasitology. Type of study: Original articles.
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Hernández León, L. K., Escobar Arrieta, S. N., & Cando Brito, V. M. (2025). Serological analysis of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati by ELISA in children from primary school in the province of Chimborazo. Anatomía Digital, 8(2.2), 93-108. https://doi.org/10.33262/anatomiadigital.v8i2.2.3467
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References
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4. Macpherson CNL. Human behaviour and the epidemiology of parasitic zoonoses. International Journal for Parasitology [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2025 May 15];35(11-12):1319–1331. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16102769/
5. Overgaauw PA, Van Knapen F. Dogs and nematode zoonoses. En: Macpherson CNL, Meslin FX, Wandeler AI. Dogs, Zoonoses and Public Health. CABI Publishing [Internet]; 2021 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353877170_Dogs_and_nematode_zoonoses
6. Chen J, Liu Q, Liu GH, Zheng WB, Hong SJ, Sugiyama H, et al. Toxocariasis: A silent threat with a progressive public health impact. Infectious Diseases of Poverty [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2025 May 15];7(1):1–19. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29895324/
7. Chuqui Taco LA, Poveda Paredes FX. Prevalencia de parasitosis intestinal en niños y niñas del Ecuador. Revista Científica Arbitrada Multidisciplinaria PENTACIENCIAS [Internet]. 2023 [citado 15 mayo 2025]; 5(4):145–51. Disponible en: https://revistas.saludpublica.gob.ec/index.php/resp/article/view/96
8. Benavides-Jiménez HA, Velandia-Sua EA, Vargas-Gil OA, Vargas-Rodríguez LJ, Vacca Carvajal BF, Suescún-Carrero SH, et al. Prevalencia de parasitismo intestinal en niños de la comunidad indígena U'wa en Boyacá, Colombia. Revista Médica de Risaralda [Internet]. 2022 [citado 15 mayo 2025]; 28(1). Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v37i3.3275
9. Nakandakari MD, Rosa DN, Beltrán-Fabián M. Enteroparasitosis en niños de una comunidad rural de Lima-Perú. Revista Médica Herediana [Internet]. 2016 [citado 15 mayo 2025]; 27(2). Disponible en: http://www.scielo.org.pe/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1018-130X2016000200005
10. Ulhaq Z, Khan W, Khan MF, Kabir M, Ujjan AA, Ullah W, et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic diseases in school children of rural areas of district Lower Dir, Pakistan. Brazilian Journal of Biology [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 May 15]; 82. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0134-2018
11. Burela A, Hernández-Vásquez A, Comandé D, Peralta V, Fiestas F. Chlorine dioxide and chlorine derivatives for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review. Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2025 May 15]; 37(4):605-610. Available from: https://rpmesp.ins.gob.pe/index.php/rpmesp/article/view/6330
12. Borchert A, Coerdero del Campillo M. Parasitología veterinaria [Internet]. Editorial Acribia; 1976 [citado 15 mayo 2025]. Disponible en: https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/book/10.3920/978-90-8686-934-4
13. Reichel MP, Greer AW, Nielsen MK, Waal T. How to publish a great scientific paper – A guide for publishing successfully in Veterinary Parasitology. Veterinary Parasitology [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 May 15]; 304: 109697. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109697
14. Jin Y, Shen C, Huh S, Sohn WM, Choi MH, Hong ST. Serodiagnóstico de toxocariasis mediante ELISA utilizando antígeno crudo de larvas de Toxocara canis. The Korean Journal of Parasitology [Internet]. 2013 [citado 15 mayo 2025]; 51(4):433–439. Disponible en: https://pmc-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.translate.goog/articles/PMC3770874/?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=es&_x_tr_pto=tc
15. Smith H, Holland C, Taylor M, Magnaval JF, Schantz P, Maizels R. How common is human toxocariasis? Towards standardizing our knowledge. Trends in Parasitology [Internet]. 2009 [cited 2025 May 15]; 25(4):182–188. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19269251/
16. Rubinsky-Elefant G, Hirata CE, Yamamoto JH, Ferreira MU. Human toxocariasis: diagnosis, worldwide seroprevalences and clinical expression of the systemic and ocular forms. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2025 May 15]; 104(1):3–23. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20149289/
17. Magnaval JF, Glickman LT, Dorchies P, Morassin B. Highlights of human toxocariasis. The Korean Journal of Parasitology [Internet]. 2001 [cited 2025 May 15];39(1):1–11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2001.39.1.1
18. Marino GL, Bojanich MV, López MA, Alonso JM. Prueba de avidez de los anticuerpos IgG en la infección por Toxocara canis. Acta bioquímica clínica latinoamericana [Internet]. 2011 [citado 15 de mayo de 2025];45(2):323-8. Disponible en: https://www.scielo.org.ar/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0325-29572011000200010
19. Strube C, Heuer L, Janecek E. Toxocara spp. Infecciones en huéspedes paraténicos. Veterinario Parasitol [Internet]. 2013 [citado 15 mayo 2025]; 193(4):375-389. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.12.033
20. Fu CJ, Chuang TW, Lin HS, Wu CH, Liu YC, Langinlur MK, et al. Seroepidemiología de la infección por Toxocara canis en escolares de primaria de la zona capitalina de la República de las Islas Marshall. BMC Infectious Diseases [Internet]. 2014 [citado el 15 de mayo de 2025]; 14(261). Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-14-261
21. Ma G, Holland CV, Wang T, Hofmann A, Fan CK, Maizels RM, et al. Human toxocariasis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2025 May 15]; 18(1): e14–e24. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30331-6
22. Rodríguez OL, Ortiz-Princz D, Cavazza ME, López E, Hagel I. Evaluación de la posible asociación entre la presencia de parásitos intestinales y Helicobacter pylori en población infantil de la etnia Warao, Venezuela. Boletín de Malariología y Salud Ambiental [Internet]. 2011 [citado 15 mayo 2025];51(1). Disponible en: https://revistaparasitologia.org.ve/index.php/parasitologia/article/view/225
23. Li C, Ren G, Deng W, Li S, Hu B, Shi Y, et al. Prevalence and incidence of advanced schistosomiasis and risk factors for case fatality in Hunan Province, China. Acta Tropica [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 May 15]; 217:105862. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105862
24. Nieves A, Ortega B, Martínez M, Castejón O, Lares M, Ferrer E. Estandarización de la técnica de ELISA para el diagnóstico inmunológico de toxocariasis humana. Boletín de Malariología y Salud Ambiental [Internet]. 2012 [citado 15 mayo 2025]; 52(1). Disponible en: https://www.jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2023&month=August&volume=12&issue=8&page=1