DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEROPREVALENCE OF HUMAN TOXOCARIASIS AMONG THE POPULATION OF NORTH-EASTERN BULGARIA

Toxocariasis is a tissue zoonosis caused by Toxocara spp. and the exposure to these geohelminths varies in different parts of population particular region. The purpose study reveal seroprevalence toxocariasis North-eastern Bulgaria establish its demographic structure. Material/Methods: Within scope broad seroepidemiological study, 701 individuals from were tested for anti-Toxocara antibodies (ELISA) between 2017 2020. results stratified analysed age, gender, place residence. Results: overall human 18.54%. Children (18.85%) adults (18.30%) show similar levels infection, but analysis age 5-years intervals revealed notable discrepancies. In younger children, higher than observed entire (0-4 years - 22.22%; 5-9 22.22%), while adolescents lower average. elderly, rises highest (60-64 30.56% over 65 -31.67%). Although there are variations males females, gender not significant factor distribution toxocariasis. Higher residents smaller settlements region (children 28.18%; -29.10%) correspond 2.5-fold increase odds contracting comparison ones living Varna city. Conclusion: alarmingly reported other country, placing this unknown infection leading position among parasitic zoonoses. residence most driving uneven disease.