Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. co-infection

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008 Jan;78(1):35-9.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. infections can cause systemic and ocular disease. To estimate the prevalence of infection with these organisms, we tested serum samples from persons > or = 12 years of age obtained in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). Among those tested for both T. gondii and Toxocara spp. (n = 16,646), the age-adjusted T. gondii antibody prevalence was 23.6% (95% confidence limit [CL] = 22.1-25.1%) and the Toxocara spp. antibody prevalence was 14.0% (95% CL = 12.7-15.4%). Multivariate analysis controlling demographic and risk factors showed that persons infected with Toxocara spp. were more likely to be infected with T. gondii (odds ratio [OR] = 1.93, 95% CL = 1.61-2.31), and similarly, persons infected with T. gondii were more likely to be infected with Toxocara spp. (OR = 1.91, 95% CL = 1.59-2.28). Infection with T. gondii and Toxocara spp. are common and can be prevented by many similar interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / blood
  • Antigens, Protozoan / blood
  • Child
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Toxocara / immunology
  • Toxocara / isolation & purification*
  • Toxocariasis / blood
  • Toxocariasis / complications
  • Toxocariasis / epidemiology*
  • Toxocariasis / parasitology*
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification*
  • Toxoplasmosis / blood
  • Toxoplasmosis / complications
  • Toxoplasmosis / epidemiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis / parasitology*
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Antigens, Protozoan