Evaluation of Visceral Toxocariasis Seropositivity and Possible Risk Factors in Patients with a Clinical Preliminary Diagnosis of Cystic Echinococcosis

Authors : Yasemin Büyük, Mükremin Özkan Arslan

Pages : 88-95

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Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the seropositivity and possible risk factors for visceral toxocariasis in patients with a clinical preliminary diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis. Material and Methods: Between October 2022 and December 2023, 184 blood serum samples, which were taken from patients with a clinical preliminary diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis and sent to the Medical Parasitology Laboratory of the Health Research and Training Hospital of Kafkas University, were analyzed for anti-Toxocara canis IgG using ELISA. Anti-Ascaris lumbricoides IgG ELISA was applied to the positive samples to differentiate cross-reactions. Results: In this study, anti-T.canis IgG positivity was detected in 73 (39.67%) of the 184 serum samples. Among the sera determined to be positive for anti-T.canis IgG, mixed infection with A.lumbricoides was detected in 38 (52.05%) samples, and cross-reactions were identified in 10 (13.7%) samples. The study revealed the overall positivity rate for anti-T.canis IgG alone as 23.97% (35/146), with rates of 24.47% (23/94) in women and 23.08% (12/52) in men. Out of the 6 samples positive for cystic echinococcosis (6/184; 3.26%), 3 (3/6; 50%) were also seropositive for visceral toxocariasis. Anti-T. canis IgG was detected at higher rates in women, individuals over 65 years of age, illiterates, farmers, and rural inhabitants (P >0.05). The levels of anti-T.canis IgG were significantly higher in individuals with detached houses with gardens, those who kept dogs in their gardens, those with vegetable patches, those with neighboring gardens and surroundings with dogs, and those engaged in soil-related garden work (P <0.05). Conclusions: In Kars and its surroundings, visceral toxocariasis was significant for public health, especially among individuals in contact with stray dogs and in soil-related occupations. Further studies are needed to determine the correlation between visceral toxocariasis and cystic echinococcosis, which share similar epidemiologic risks and clinical complaints.
Keywords : anti-Toxocara canis IgG, risk factor, visceral toxocariasis, cystic echinococcosis