1. One health approach to toxocariasis in quilombola communities of southern Brazil.
- Author
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Santarém VA, Panazzolo GK, Kmetiuk LB, Domingues OJ, Ferreira IB, de Souza Filho RT, Farinhas JH, Doline FR, Lescano SAZ, Biondo LM, Giuffrida R, Biondo AW, and Fávero GM
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Animals, Dogs, Cats, Middle Aged, Child, Brazil epidemiology, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Quality of Life, Toxocara, Risk Factors, Soil parasitology, Antibodies, Helminth, Toxocariasis parasitology, Cat Diseases, One Health, Dog Diseases epidemiology, Dog Diseases parasitology
- Abstract
Background: Toxocariasis has been listed among the most neglected parasitic diseases worldwide, with approximately one fifth of the global population exposed, particularly those living under poverty. In Brazil, communities of descendants of enslaved blacks (quilombola) have historically had some of the highest rates of vulnerability and poverty, characterized by lack of health assistance, poor quality of life, and nutritional insecurity., Methods: A cross-sectional sampling of quilombola individuals living in four communities of southern Brazil, as well as their dogs and the soil, was carried out from December 2021 to March 2022. Sociodemographic and other information such as water source, alimentary habits, and dog and cat ownership were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire for assessing toxocariasis risk factors. Human serum samples were tested by ELISA for anti-Toxocara spp. IgG antibody detection was carried out on dog feces and hair, and soil samples were surveyed for presence of Toxocara spp. eggs., Results: Overall, 172/208 individuals (82.7%, 95% CI = 77.0-87.2) were seropositive, the highest seroprevalence rate to date in Brazil. Male gender (P = 0.029), educational level (P = 0.026), and drinking water source (P = 0.043) were associated with seropositivity by univariate analysis. Final logistic regression revealed increased odds (P = 0.017, OR = 7.6, 95% CI = 1.5-42.7) to have seropositivity in individuals > 50 years old (< 10 years old). As expected, individuals with soil contact were more likely seropositive (P = 0.038, OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.1-18.8). Although retrieved in only 5/96 (5.2%) dog feces, Toxocara spp. eggs were found in 18/60 (30.0%) soil samples., Conclusions: The high vulnerability and seroprevalence observed in quilombola communities clearly demand a One Health approach for detection, monitoring, and prevention of infection by Toxocara spp. in both human and dog populations., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)
- Published
- 2023
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