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Toxocariasis in waste pickers: a case control seroprevalence study
1Department of Infectology, Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition, Juárez University of Durango State, Durango, Mexico. alvaradocosme@yahoo.com
Plos One
|January 26, 2013
Summary
Waste pickers in Mexico show a significantly higher prevalence of Toxocara infection, indicating they are a vulnerable group. This parasitic infection is linked to health issues like gastritis and visual impairments in this population.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Toxocara infection epidemiology in Mexico is understudied.
- Limited data exists on Toxocara infection prevalence among waste pickers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seroepidemiology of Toxocara infection in waste pickers.
- To investigate associations between Toxocara exposure and various factors in waste pickers.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 90 waste pickers and 90 matched controls.
- Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) used to detect anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies.
- Evaluation of socio-demographic, work, clinical, and behavioral data.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher seroprevalence of Toxocara infection in waste pickers (13%) compared to controls (1%).
- Increased seroprevalence associated with gastritis and reflex/visual impairments.
- Toxocara exposure linked to infrequent eating out and lower chicken consumption; not associated with animal contact or soil exposure.
Conclusions:
- Waste pickers represent a high-risk group for Toxocara infection.
- Toxocara infection negatively impacts the health of waste pickers.
- First report on Toxocara exposure in waste pickers and its association with specific health conditions.
