Seroprevalance of toxocariasis on people in Bolu and its region

Toxocariasis is a disease caused by the spread of nematode larvae such as Toxocara canis and T.cati living in the digestive system of carnivorous animals to all internal organs including liver, brain and eye in humans and causing Visceral and Ocular Larva Migrans (VLM and OLM). Infection occurs when the parasite's L2-bearing eggs are removed with water and food. It causes VLM and OLM especially in infected people, especially children, and presents with symptoms such as hypereosinophilia, hepatomegaly, anemia, abdominal pain, cough, and breathing difficulties. Although the parasite in the world and Turkey in the last host dogs and cats in the spread is too high, there is not enough work for the presence of humans. In the Bolu region, no studies were conducted on the propagation of the parasite in both the last host and intermediate hosts. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxocariasis ELISA method in humans in Bolu and region. For this purpose, blood samples were taken from 384 people from different age, sex and occupational groups in Bolu center and districts, serum was extracted and antibody titers of Toxocara canis were examined by ELISA method. As a result of the study, 46 (12%) of 384 people were positive. The prevalence was 11.2% for females and 12.7% for males. In the second stage of the study, the education levels, feeding habits and settlements of the individuals whose blood samples were taken were evaluated. There was no significant difference between chi-square (χ2) test and Toxocara canis between age, sex and occupational groups. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the spread of Toxocariasis in Bolu and its region is high and poses a public health problem, and attention should be paid to the consumption of food and greens in order to prevent this. Key words: Toxocariasis, seroprevalence, ELISA, Bolu.