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National Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Zoonotic Toxocara spp. Infection

To estimate the prevalence of Toxocara spp. infection in a representative sample of the United States population 6 years of age, sera from participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994) were tested for antibodies to Toxocara. Among the 30,930 persons selected for the survey, 82% (N = 25,733) were interviewed, and 91% (N = 23,527) of those interviewed underwent physical examination of which 87% (N = 20,395) were tested. The age adjusted Toxocara seroprevalence was 13.9% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 12.5, 15.3), and was higher in non-Hispanic blacks (21.2%) than non-Hispanic whites (12%) or Mexican Americans (10.7%; P < 0.001). Increased Toxocara seropositivity was associated with head of household level of education (low versus high) (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2; CI: 1.8, 2.8), poverty (OR: 1.5; CI: 1.3, 1.8), elevated blood lead concentrations (OR: 1.4; CI: 1.1, 1.9), and dog ownership (OR: 1.2; CI: 1.1, 1.4). Toxocara infection is widespread and associated with specific risk groups.

Received May 14, 2008. Accepted for publication July 6, 2008.

Acknowledgments: We are grateful for the interest and assistance of Dr. David Stansfield from Novartis Animal Health USA, Inc. We also thank Marianna Wilson, Kolby Sanders-Lewis, Abigail Babin, and Christopher Oh from CDC for their technical assistance in the laboratory.

Financial support: This study was funded in part by a grant from Novartis Animal Health USA, Inc.

Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

^* Address correspondence to Kimberly Y. Won, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vectorborne, and Enteric Diseases, CCID, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop F-36, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724. E-mail: kfw7{at}cdc.gov

Authors’ addresses: Kimberly Y. Won, Peter M. Schantz, and Jeffrey L. Jones, Division of Parasitic Diseases, National Center for Zoonotic, Vectorborne, and Enteric Diseases, CCID, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop F-36, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, Tel: 770-488-4415, Fax: 770-488-3115, E-mails: kfw7{at}cdc.gov, pms1{at}cdc.gov, and jlj1{at}cdc.gov. Deanna Kruszon-Moran, Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HYAT Building IV, Room 4308, Mailstop P-08, Hyattsville, MD 20782, E-mail: ddk0{at}cdc.gov.