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. 2023 Oct 23;16(1):379.
doi: 10.1186/s13071-023-06010-w.

One health approach to toxocariasis in quilombola communities of southern Brazil

Vamilton Alvares Santarém #  1 , Giovanni Kalempa Panazzolo #  2 , Louise Bach Kmetiuk  3 , Orlei José Domingues  2 , Isabella Braghin Ferreira  1 , Roberto Teixeira de Souza Filho  1 , João Henrique Farinhas  3 , Fernando Rodrigo Doline  3 , Susana Angélica Zevallos Lescano  4 , Leandro Meneguelli Biondo  5   6 , Rogério Giuffrida  1 , Alexander Welker Biondo  7 , Giovani Marino Fávero  2
Affiliations

One health approach to toxocariasis in quilombola communities of southern Brazil

Vamilton Alvares Santarém et al. Parasit Vectors. .

Abstract

Background: Toxocariasis has been listed among the most neglected parasitic diseases worldwide, with approximately one fifth of the global population exposed, particularly those living under poverty. In Brazil, communities of descendants of enslaved blacks (quilombola) have historically had some of the highest rates of vulnerability and poverty, characterized by lack of health assistance, poor quality of life, and nutritional insecurity.

Methods: A cross-sectional sampling of quilombola individuals living in four communities of southern Brazil, as well as their dogs and the soil, was carried out from December 2021 to March 2022. Sociodemographic and other information such as water source, alimentary habits, and dog and cat ownership were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire for assessing toxocariasis risk factors. Human serum samples were tested by ELISA for anti-Toxocara spp. IgG antibody detection was carried out on dog feces and hair, and soil samples were surveyed for presence of Toxocara spp. eggs.

Results: Overall, 172/208 individuals (82.7%, 95% CI = 77.0-87.2) were seropositive, the highest seroprevalence rate to date in Brazil. Male gender (P = 0.029), educational level (P = 0.026), and drinking water source (P = 0.043) were associated with seropositivity by univariate analysis. Final logistic regression revealed increased odds (P = 0.017, OR = 7.6, 95% CI = 1.5-42.7) to have seropositivity in individuals > 50 years old (< 10 years old). As expected, individuals with soil contact were more likely seropositive (P = 0.038, OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.1-18.8). Although retrieved in only 5/96 (5.2%) dog feces, Toxocara spp. eggs were found in 18/60 (30.0%) soil samples.

Conclusions: The high vulnerability and seroprevalence observed in quilombola communities clearly demand a One Health approach for detection, monitoring, and prevention of infection by Toxocara spp. in both human and dog populations.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Poverty; Quilombo; Seroprevalence; Toxocara spp.; Zoonosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Quilombola communities, territories, and population in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Sampling locations, frequency of occurrence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in quilombola individuals, and the presence of feces, hair, and soil-positive samples in quilombola communities of southern Brazil
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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