SERO PREVALENCE OF TOXARA CANIS IN THE CITY OF CATANIA, ITALY.

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Alessandra Nicoletti
1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania

Calogero Edoardo Cicero
Department G.F. Ingrassia

Antonia Mantella
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, University of Florence

Loretta Giuliano
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania

Cristina Rascunà
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania

Vincenza Paradisi
Italian Society of General Medicine (SIMG)

Alessandro Bartoloni
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, University of Florence

Mario Zappia
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania

Vito Sofia
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania

Keywords

Toxocara canis, Helminths, Epidemiology

Abstract

Toxocariasis is one of the most common helminthiases worldwide. However, there is a lack of data regarding Southern Italy. We have evaluated the seroprevalence and associated environmental factors of toxocariasis in a sample of adults living in the city of Catania.


Presence of anti-Toxocara canis IgG antibodies was searched using an ELISA test using excretory/secretory antigens. Environmental risk factors have beene valuated with a face-to-face questionnaire.


Two hundred eighty-seven subjects (mean age of 48.1±15.6 years) were enrolled, and presence of anti T. canis antibodies was found in 23 participants, of whom 18 (78.3%) were women with a mean age of 51.1±14.0 years, giving a seroprevalence of 8.0% (95%CI 5.4-11.7). At multivariate analysis a positive association for subjects with more than 3 siblings (adjOR 3.17; 95%CI 1.09-9.25) was recorded.


Our study confirms that exposition to T. canis is common also in urban areas of western countries.

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Published
Apr 27, 2019
DOI https://doi.org/10.4084/mjhid.2019.031

Article Details

How to Cite

Nicoletti, A. (2019) “ SERO PREVALENCE OF TOXARA CANIS IN THE CITY OF CATANIA, ITALY”., Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, 11(1), p. e2019031. doi: 10.4084/mjhid.2019.031.
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2019): Review Articles, Original Articles, Scientific Letters, Case Reports, Letters to Editor.
Section
Original Articles

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