Dados do Trabalho

Título

Toxocariasis in Brazilian indigenous: serosurvey for populations, dog´s infection and soil contamination

Introdução

Despite human lifestyle and socioeconomic vulnerability may contribute for toxocariasis, no study to date has investigated this zoonosis in Brazilian indigenous populations on One Health approach.

Objetivo (s)

The present study aimed to assess Toxocara spp. seropositivity in indigenous and healthcare professionals, Toxocara spp. eggs in dogs, and soil samples of Brazilian indigenous communities of Paraná and São Paulo.

Material e Métodos

A total of 463 indigenous and 147 non-indigenous healthcare professionals were included in this study. Blood samples were collected to evaluate anti-Toxocara antibodies by ELISA test, and a questionnaire was applied to gather socioepidemiological information. Hair and feces of dogs, and soil were collected for recovery of Toxocara spp. eggs. PCR assay was performed to characterize the eggs collected from soil samples. The study was approved by the Committee on Ethics in Human Health of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (prot. 52039021.9.0000.0102) and by the Committee on Ethics in the Use of Animals (prot. 033/2021) at the Federal University of Paraná.

Resultados e Conclusão

Overall, 342/463 (73.9%) indigenous and 46/147 (31.3%) non-indigenous healthcare professionals were seropositive. Consumption of river water was associated with indigenous seropositivity (OR: 11.4; 95% CI: 4.6-37.8). Indigenous persons of Paraná State communities were 2.72-fold (CI 95%: 1.7-4.4) more likely to be seropositive than in São Paulo State, which was related to lack of sanitary infrastructure. Healthcare professionals who presented daily fulltime activities at the indigenous communities were 9.2-fold more likely seropositive than sporadically visiting. In addition, findings herein have corroborated with the significant higher indigenous seroprevalence when compared to healthcare assistants (χ2 = 85.53), likely due to overtime Toxocara spp. exposure of indigenous individuals. T. canis eggs were retrieved in 9/194 (4.6%) feces and 4/204 (2.0%) hair samples of dogs, mostly in the Paraná State communities. Soil contamination was observed only in Paraná State communities (36/90; 40%), with molecular detection of T. canis. In conclusion, Brazilian indigenous communities herein were highly exposed to toxocariasis, with poor infrastructure and contact with contaminated river water as associated risk factors, and risk of infection for healthcare professionals with fulltime daily work at these communities.

Palavras-chave

epidemiology, risk factors, Toxocara spp., traditional populations, zoonosis.