Lola Burgos

Toxocara canis: migración larval y eosinofilia en el hospedador paraténico

The objective of this study was to analize the migratory behaviour of larvae of Toxocara canis related to eosinophilia in paratenic hosts. Mice were used as experimental models. In rodents and humans the migratory route and the pathogenesis of the parasite are similar. Balb/c mice were inoculated intragastrically with 250 (± 10) embryonated eggs. Larvae recovery: eyes and encephalon were chosen as reference organs. In the encephalon and the eye, larval recovery began in the forth and twelfth day post-inoculation respectively. The association measured by the correlation coefficient between time of observation and recovered larvae in each organ was: right eye (RE) r= 0.24; left eye (LE) r= 0.43; encephalon (E) r= 0.60. The recovery of inoculated larvae is significantly higher in the encephalon than in the eyeballs (Chi square: 185; p < 0.00001), in 80 % of mice eosinophils exceeded 6% of the formula. The correlation between eosinophilia and larval recovery in the organs observed was: 0.33 for the right eye (RE); 0.21 for the left eye (LE) and 0.44 for the encephalon; these correlation values are considered low, suggesting no association between eosinophilia and the quantity of T. canis larvae lodged in the eyes (ocular toxocarosis) or in the encephalon (cerebrospinal toxocarosis).

Toxocariasis: seroprevalence in abandoned-institutionalized children and infants

Toxocariasis is an infection that has worldwide distribution. Toxocara canis is the most relevant agent due to its frequent occurrence in humans. Soil contamination with embryonated eggs is the primary source of T. canis. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in 10-month to 3 year-old abandoned infants, considered to be at high risk because of their orphanhood status and early age. Blood samples were collected from 120 children institutionalized in an orphanage in the city of La Plata. In this study, we observed 38.33% of seropositive cases for T. canis by ELISA and 45% by Western blot techniques; significant differences among groups A (<1 year), B (1-2 years) and C (>2 years) were also found. In research group A, children presented a seropositivity rate of 23.91%, in group B of 42.85% and in group C of 56%, which indicates an increase in frequency as age advances, probably because of greater chances of contact with infective forms of the parasite since canines and soil are frequently infected with T. canis eggs. Abandoned children come from poor households, under highly unsanitary conditions resulting from inadequate or lack of water supply and sewer networks, and frequent promiscuity with canines, which promotes the occurrence of parasitic diseases. These children are highly vulnerable due to their orphanhood status and age.