Noori Marjan, Zibaei Mohammad, Bairami Amir, Hashemi Seyed Ali, Heidari Aliehsan, Bakhshipour Fatemeh, Hatami Zahra, Bahadory Saeed
Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 3149779453, Karaj, Iran.
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kamali Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran.
BMC Womens Health. 2025 May 27;25(1):258. doi: 10.1186/s12905-025-03809-w.
Human toxocariasis caused by T. canis is a worldwide and typically neglected zoonotic parasitic disease. Certain behaviors such as a geophagia habit, poor personal hygiene, close contact with young dogs, and ingestion of raw meat, as well as age, and socioeconomic status, affect the prevalence of the disease. In this study, we aimed at investigating the frequency of Toxocara infection among pregnant women and the epidemiological factors associated with disease.
Toxocariasis-specific IgG antibodies were measured using a commercial ELISA technique in 200 pregnant women between December 2021 and May 2022. A questionnaire filled by participants included options for demographic information (age, gender, residency), gestational age, number of previous pregnancies, history of abortion, drug use, comorbidities, history of parasitic disease, and keeping pets (dogs or cats).
In total, 15 (7.5%) of the 200 participants (mean age 29.7 ± 18.7 years) had anti-T. canis antibodies. High-titer antibodies were most prevalent among the subjects aged 25-29 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that the pregnant women who had a history of abortions (P = 0.029), and keeping pets and contact with dogs and cats (P = 0.031) had an increased risk of acquiring toxocariasis. The study showed that demographic characteristics such as age group, pregnancy trimester, and underlying conditions were not significantly associated with toxocariasis (P > 0.05).
Considering the significant prevalence of toxocariasis in pregnant women as well as its health risks, preventive health measures against the toxocariasis risk factors seem more necessary.
犬弓首线虫引起的人体弓首线虫病是一种全球性且通常被忽视的人畜共患寄生虫病。某些行为，如食土癖、个人卫生习惯差、与幼犬密切接触、食用生肉，以及年龄和社会经济地位，都会影响该病的患病率。在本研究中，我们旨在调查孕妇中弓首线虫感染的频率以及与该病相关的流行病学因素。
在2021年12月至2022年5月期间，使用商业酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）技术对200名孕妇进行了弓首线虫病特异性IgG抗体检测。参与者填写的问卷包括人口统计学信息（年龄、性别、居住地）、孕周、既往妊娠次数、流产史、药物使用情况、合并症、寄生虫病史以及饲养宠物（狗或猫）等选项。
200名参与者（平均年龄29.7±18.7岁）中，共有15人（7.5%）具有抗犬弓首线虫抗体。高滴度抗体在25 - 29岁的受试者中最为普遍。逻辑回归分析表明，有流产史的孕妇（P = 0.029）以及饲养宠物并与狗和猫接触的孕妇（P = 0.031）感染弓首线虫病的风险增加。研究表明，年龄组、妊娠 trimester和基础疾病等人口统计学特征与弓首线虫病无显著相关性（P > 0.05）。
考虑到孕妇中弓首线虫病的显著患病率及其健康风险，针对弓首线虫病危险因素的预防性健康措施似乎更为必要。
