Seroepidemiology of Toxocariasis in 2-12-year-old Children Refered to Health Centers in Kermanshah during 2018

Background and Objective: Toxocariasis is a common infection between humans and animals, which can be considered as a health issue in vulnerable populations due to its indigenous nature to the country and the region.  Therefore, the purpose of this study was to estimate the risk of contamination with Toxocara canis infection and exposure to its parasite in children. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 621 children aged 2 to12 years referred to health centers in Kermanshah, Iran. After sampling and recording the demographic characteristics, the samples were tested for anti-T. canis antibody (IgG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Data analysis was done using SPSS software and Fisher's exact test. Results: Out of 621 tested serum samples, 8 samples (1.3%) were positive for anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies. Of these, 5 and 3 samples were from male and female patients all living in urban areas. It is noteworthy that none of these individuals had a history of earth-eating, as well as touching or playing with the dog. However, a dog was kept at one of the child's home. Conclusion: The results of the study showed a relatively low prevalence of toxocariasis infection in children, although the findings confirmed the establishment of the parasite transmission cycle in the region. Therefore, considering the importance of hygiene issues, it is necessary to develop and implement strategies for controlling and preventing the infection in the definitive hosts of the parasite in order to reduce the incidence of human infections.