Enteroparasitoses and Toxocarosis Affecting Children from Mar del Plata City, Argentina

This study evaluated the existence of enteroparasitoses and toxocarosis in children of peripheral(PC) and urban communities (UC) from Mar del Plata city (Argentina) and their associations with socioenvironmental conditions. A Parasite Vulnerability Index (PVI) was elaborated using variables such as overcrowding, floor type, drinking water source, wastewater disposal, solid waste disposal, presence of animals and schooling level. The PC evidenced statistically significant higher frequencies of families with high (38.9%) andmedium (55.5%) PVI, while in the UC low PVI (93%) was the most frequent. A statistically significant higher frequency of PC children was parasitized (30.2 vs. 14.5%; v2 Pearson = 5.21; P < 0.05), presented higher parasite frequencies, specific richness, parasitic loads, and they also evidenced polyparasitism. The Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) showed associations between PC-parasitized children, overcrowding and contact with pets and farm animals. The ELISA test to the specified determination of Toxocara canis IgG was reactive in a statistically significant higher proportion of PC children than the UC (55 vs. 8.5%; v2 = 30.5; P < 0.01). The MCA associated PC reactive children, not adequate hand washing, moderate and hypereosinophilia and contact with pets and farm animals. Deficient socio-environmental conditions became children more vulnerable to get enteroparasitoses and toxocarosis in the PC than in the UC.Fil: Lavallén, Carla Mariela. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Departamento de Microbiología. Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Brignani, Beatriz. Centro de Especialidades Médicas y Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Riesgo, Karina. Centro de Especialidades Médicas y Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Rojas, Amalia. Centro de Especialidades Médicas y Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Colace, Gabriela. Centro de Especialidades Médicas y Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Biscaychipi, Martín. Centro de Especialidades Médicas y Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Chicote, Estela. Centro de Especialidades Médicas y Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Giuntini, Cristian. Centro de Especialidades Médicas y Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Kifer, Mariela. Centro de Especialidades Médicas y Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Río, María Eugenia del. Partido de General, Pueyrredon, Centro Municipal de Zoonosis.; ArgentinaFil: Denegri, Guillermo Maria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biologia. Laboratorio de Zoonosis Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Dopchiz, Marcela Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biologia. Laboratorio de Zoonosis Parasitarias; Argentin