Serological Study of Toxocariasis in Children in Mosul Province

This study was done to determine the seroprevalence of Toxocara infection in children by using ELISA test. Blood samples were collected from 120 hospitalized children with age ranging from [1-15] years, and [25] children (apparently healthy) served as controls. Serum samples of 120 children [66 males and 54 females] and 25 healthy controls were examined for anti-Toxocara IgG antibody by a commercial ELISA test. The seropositivity rates were 30.8% and 12% in diseased and healthy children respectively. No statistical differences were observed with regard to age and sex. Diagnosis of sera from children with geophagia in urban and rural areas revealed that 55.2% were seropositive for Toxocara IgG antibody. Haematological parameters in children showed that the highest ESR rate and lowest Hb% was frequent in 1-2 and 3-5 years old respectively. Eosinphilia was statistically frequent in 3-5 year old group.