Mohammad Zibaei1, Maryam Alemi2, Natalia Marina Cardillo3, Hamid Derafshi4, Abolfazl Miahipour5, Saeed Bahadory6, Mohammad Zarei7. 1. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. zibaeim@sums.ac.ir. 2. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. maryamalemi66@yahoo.com. 3. National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Research Institute on Animal Production, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ncardillo@fvet.uba.ar. 4. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. derafshih@gmail.com. 5. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. h_miahipour@yahoo.com. 6. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. saeed.bahadory@yahoo.com. 7. Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Zareim@tums.ac.ir.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Toxocariasis, predominantly caused by <i>Toxocara canis</i>, is a common zoonotic parasitosis worldwide. <i>Toxocara</i> infection is a cause of vision impairment and blindness. The presented study investigates the frequency of antibodies against <i>Toxocara</i> among uveitis patients and the epidemiological factors associated with disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with uveitis and 59 healthy subjects were studied. Anti-<i>Toxocara</i> antibodies status was determined in all serum samples using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and seropositive samples analyzed by Western blot (WB) technique. RESULTS: The frequency of <i>Toxocara canis</i> infection was found to be significantly higher in uveitis patients, compared to healthy controls by the use of ELISA test, being 14.8% and 1.7%, respectively. From 8 seropositive samples, 5 (62.5%) patients exhibited <i>Toxocara</i> immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in response to Western blot, whereas in the control group, none were detected positive by Western blot. No significant difference was found between pet owners, nor between different places of residence. The seroprevalence to Toxocara among uveitis patients was significantly related to gender, age and medical diagnosis. The highest prevalence was found in patients with posterior uveitis (27.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-<i>Toxocara</i> antibody titers are associated with the risk of vision impairment -uveitis. The risk factor associated with <i>Toxocara</i> exposure identified in this study warrants further investigation.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Toxocariasis, predominantly caused by <i>Toxocara canis</i>, is a common zoonotic parasitosis worldwide. <i>Toxocara</i> infection is a cause of vision impairment and blindness. The presented study investigates the frequency of antibodies against <i>Toxocara</i> among uveitispatients and the epidemiological factors associated with disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with uveitis and 59 healthy subjects were studied. Anti-<i>Toxocara</i> antibodies status was determined in all serum samples using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and seropositive samples analyzed by Western blot (WB) technique. RESULTS: The frequency of <i>Toxocara canis</i> infection was found to be significantly higher in uveitispatients, compared to healthy controls by the use of ELISA test, being 14.8% and 1.7%, respectively. From 8 seropositive samples, 5 (62.5%) patients exhibited <i>Toxocara</i> immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in response to Western blot, whereas in the control group, none were detected positive by Western blot. No significant difference was found between pet owners, nor between different places of residence. The seroprevalence to Toxocara among uveitispatients was significantly related to gender, age and medical diagnosis. The highest prevalence was found in patients with posterior uveitis (27.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-<i>Toxocara</i> antibody titers are associated with the risk of vision impairment -uveitis. The risk factor associated with <i>Toxocara</i> exposure identified in this study warrants further investigation.
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Keywords:
ELISA; Toxocara canis; Uveitis patients; Western blot; diagnosis; toxocariasis