Prevalence of toxocariasis and effective risk factors in hemodialysis and diabetic patients in Zahedan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran

2 Department of Parasitology and mycology, Faulty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Mashhad. Iran

3 Department of Laboratory Sciences, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran

4 Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Human toxocariasis is a parasitic disease caused by the larvae of Toxocara canis (T. canis) and can cause many clinical complications in the liver, lungs, eyes, brain and kidney. Despite its significant effect on high-risk groups (people with reduced immune system), this parasite is usually ignored. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the serum prevalence and risk factors of toxocariasis in diabetic patients and hemodialysis patients in Zahedan (southeast of Iran).
Methods: This study was conducted in Sistan and Baluchistan province, Zahedan city with 400 diabetic and hemodialysis patients. A clot sample was taken to perform the ELISA test along with a questionnaire containing demographic information. All serum samples were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies against Toxocara species by ELISA serology method. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22 software and descriptive statistics and chi-square test
Results: The prevalence of serum toxocariasis in diabetic and hemodialysis patients was reported as 2.8% and 3.5%, respectively. Among the variables of the study, contact with dogs and cats in the group of diabetic patients (OR=11.60 –% 95CI: 2.80-48.06). and in the group of hemodialysis patients contact with cats and dogs (OR=0.85- %95CI: 0.70-1.02) and blood group had a significant relationship with the prevalence of toxocariasis. P value ≤ 0.05.
Conclusion: Considering the few studies in the world, more epidemiological studies are needed to understand that diabetes and the hemodialysis process can be introduced as a factor in toxocariasis.

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