Seroepidemiological Study of Toxocariasis among Volunteers Animal Husbandry Workers and Veterinary in Southern Anatolia in Turkey in 2014

<p><strong><em>Background:</em></strong>Human toxocariasis is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of <em>Toxocaracanis</em>. We examine the <em>Toxocara</em> seroprevalance in veterinarians and animal husbandry workers living in the Mugla Province, Turkey to evaluate better the risk factors for <em>Toxocara</em> exposure.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In 2014, 376 volunteers participated in the study in 2014. All blood specimens were tested using a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit and ELISA positive samples were confirmed by Western Blot (WB) method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The seroprevalence of <em>Toxocara</em>, as determined by WB, was 8%. A statistically significant correlation was evident between patient age and <em>Toxo­cara</em> positivity among animal husbandry workers (<em>P</em> = 0.029). A strong associa­tion was also evident between sex and seropositivity in the animal husbandry group (<em>P</em>=0.024). Veterinarians working in pet clinics did in fact exhibit higher <em>Toxocara</em> seropositivities relative to those of other groups (<em>P</em> = 0.029). A statisti­cally significant difference was detected between the rural geographic areas surveyed (<em>P</em> = 0.04).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In Mugla Province, seroprevalence of <em>Toxocara</em> is lower than other regions. Despite the low seroprevalence observed, especially in high risk professions toxocariasis remains an important medical concern within the region.