Serological Study of Human Toxocariasis Using Elisa Technique in Six Hospitals, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Study on the Human Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis (T.canis) Antibody titre using ELISA Technique was conducted in Six Hospitals of Adamawa State Nigeria, between the months of January to June 2018. Five hundred and sixty four (564) samples were collected using non randomised sampling technique. Statistical analyses were carried out using Statistix 9.1 and the results obtained from the study revealed an overall Seroprevalence rate of 63.65%. Age range 21 to 30 years indicated that 7.45% Males and 13.65% Females were positive, with age showing no any significant correlation to Anti-Toxocara Antibody titre. Also results based on Sex revealed that 215 (38.12%) Females and 144 (25.53%) Males reacted positive with Sex having no significant correlation to Anti-Toxocara Antibody titre. Seroprevalence results based on Religion and Dog ownership indicated that 167(29.61%) Christians and 97(17.21%) Moslems were positive with Religion showing a negative correlation. Owners of dogs accounted for 58(10.28%) of the samples analysed, with dog ownership showing a negative correlation. Seropositivity base on Socioeconomic Status, reveals that Housewives had 141(25.01%) while under care (children under one year) had 23(4.08%) with socioeconomic status showing an association with Anti-Toxocara Antibody titre. Results on Tribes reveals that Fulani’s had 67(11.85%), Yalla accounted for 1(0.18%) with Tribe showing a weak significance difference to Anti- Toxocara Antibody titre. In conclusion the study showed that there is a very high Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis Antibody titre amongst the studied population. Therefore it is recommended that Anti-Toxocara Antibody screening be included into routine medical diagnosis to also cover private medical outfits. It is also recommended that further studies on molecular diagnosis be carried out to ascertain the gene markers responsible for the pathology caused to the host by (T.canis). Keywords: Antibody, Seroprevalence, Religion, Tribe, Adamawa, pork, Toxocara canis and Seropositivity DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-10-06 Publication date:May 31st 201