A seroepidemiological survey for toxocariasis in apparently healthy residents in Gangwon-do, Korea

Abstract

We investigated the sero-prevalence of toxocariasis among healthy Koreanadults in 1999. A total of 314 sera from normal inhabitants in Whachon-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea was examined for specific antibody levels against excretory-secretory products ofsecond stage larvae of Toxocara (TES). The presence of cross-reactions with otherhelminthiases such as cysticercosis, paragonimiasis, sparganosis or clonorchiasis wasalso checked by specific IgG ELISA. Sera showing positive reaction against TES were alsotested by IgG immunoblot and by IgE ELISA. Out of 314 subjects, 16 was found to bepositive by TES IgG ELISA and immunoblot, among whom 12 were also positive by TESIgE ELISA. Among the 16 seropositive samples, two sera showed positive reaction againstParagonimus and sparganum antigen, respectively. These results inferred that cross-reactions were negligible between toxocariasis and other helminthiases. Toxocariasisseroprevalence among Korean rural adults was detected to be approximately 5%.