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Developmental age, physical fitness and Toxocara seroprevalence amongst lower-secondary students living in rural areas contaminated with Toxocara eggs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2009

W. JAROSZ ,
H. MIZGAJSKA-WIKTOR ,
P. KIRWAN ,
J. KONARSKI ,
W. RYCHLICKI  and
G. WAWRZYNIAK
W. JAROSZ*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Environmental Protection, University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznań, Poland
H. MIZGAJSKA-WIKTOR
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Environmental Protection, University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznań, Poland
P. KIRWAN
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
J. KONARSKI
Affiliation:
Chair of Theory and Methodology of Sport, University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznań, Poland
W. RYCHLICKI
Affiliation:
Department and Clinic of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases, University of Medical Sciences, S. Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznań, Poland
G. WAWRZYNIAK
Affiliation:
Chair of Anthropology and Biometry, University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznań, Poland
*
*Corresponding author: Department of Biology and Environmental Protection, University School of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznań, Poland. Tel: +48618355246. Fax: +48618355247. E-mail: jarosz@awf.poznan.pl
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Summary

Scarce and inconclusive information on general biological impact of Toxocara invasion on paratenic hosts, and people in particular, has led us to undertake a comprehensive study of the problem. The study has been conducted in a rural environment, which is considered a toxocarosis risk factor. In total 200 soil samples have been screened for Toxocara eggs by flotation, of which 14·5% were positive. Backyards close to households were most heavily contaminated with infectious eggs – 21·7% of positive samples. ELISA serological tests performed on 242 lower-secondary students found 14·5% of the studied population to be definitely positive – 16·5% of boys and 12·8% of girls, respectively. The odds of being infected with Toxocara were 2 times (CI: 1·15–3·85) more likely for individuals who owned a cat than those who did not own a cat. Strong significant correlation between seropositivity and the presence of a dog in a household was found with boys. The level of developmental age was significantly higher in seropositive than in seronegative students. No significant correlation has been observed between the motor abilities and seropositivity of students. Seropositive boys had significantly lower end-of-year grades than their seronegative counterparts.

Keywords

Toxocarasoil contaminationstudents seroprevalencedevelopmental agephysical fitness
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 137 , Issue 1 , January 2010 , pp. 53 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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