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Seroprevalence of Larval Toxocarosis in the Czech Republic

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Abstract

Background

Larval toxocarosis (LT), a zoonotic disease transmitted by dogs, cats, and other carnivores, is caused by roundworms of the genus Toxocara. Humans become infected by ingesting embryonated eggs of this parasite. In this study, we present data on the seroprevalence of LT in the Czech Republic collected by the National Reference Laboratory for Tissue Helminthoses in 2012–2016.

Methods

Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a total of 4428 adults and children with or without clinical symptoms were examined for the presence of IgG antibodies against Toxocara canis excretory–secretory antigens.

Results

Of all the persons examined, specific Toxocara antibodies were detected in 160 (3.6%) individuals. There were, however, significant differences between various regions, with seropositivity rates ranging from 1.4 to 7.5%.

Conclusion

In comparison to studies from 1998 and 2004, our results suggest a decrease in overall Toxocara seroprevalence in the Czech population, whereby the rates are similar to or even lower than rates in some other Central European countries.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Markéta Leissová for technical assistance during the examination and Anna Pilátová, Ph.D. for editing the final draft. The study was supported by the Charles University under Grants [GA UK 902217, Progres Q25 and SVV 260369].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

    Katerina Skulinova, Jan Novak & Libuse Kolarova

  2. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

    Martin Kasny

  3. Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic

    Martin Kasny

  4. National Reference Laboratory for Tissue Helminthoses, General Faculty Hospital in Prague and the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Studničkova 7, 128 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    Libuse Kolarova

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  1. Katerina Skulinova
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Correspondence to Libuse Kolarova.

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Skulinova, K., Novak, J., Kasny, M. et al. Seroprevalence of Larval Toxocarosis in the Czech Republic. Acta Parasit. 65, 68–76 (2020). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-019-00121-0

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