Background Toxocara spp. is one of the most neglected zoonotic soil‐transmitted helminths worldwide, causing toxocariasis in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. in dogs, cats, and their owners, the coprodiagnostic incidence in dogs and cats, the risk factors, and association with atopy in owners of these pets. Methodology A total of 70 dogs, 140 cats, and 118 owners were randomly selected. A blood sample was taken from each of them to determine anti‐ Toxocara IgG by in‐house indirect ELISA using TES. Two fecal samples were taken from dogs and cats at 28‐day intervals, and the Kato–Katz technique was used for cumulative coproincidence. Prevalence ratio (PR) and relative risk (RR) tests were used to establish risk factors. The ISAAC III survey and skin prick test for aeroallergens were used to classify atopy in the pet owners. Results The overall seroprevalence of anti‐ Toxocara IgG in dogs and cats was 80% (95% confidence interval CI: 74.1%–84.8%), whereas in the owners it was 22.9% (95% CI: 16.2%–31.2%). The overall coproprevalence and coproincidence in dogs and cats were 47.6% (95% CI: 41%–54.3%) and 20% (95% CI: 13.6%–28.4%), respectively. Dogs and cats that go outside more than three times a day are more likely to contract Toxocara spp. (RR = 3.87). Owners who had a seropositive dog and cat at the same time were more likely to be seropositive for Toxocara spp (PR = 3.46). One of the risk factors for owners was having a dog or cat between 9 and 16 years of age (RR = 1.5) and sleeping in bed with these pets (RR = 1.93). There was no positive association between seropositivity for Toxocara spp. and atopy in owners (PR = 1.02). Conclusions This is the first study in Colombia to determine Toxocara spp. seroprevalence in dogs and cats. The high cumulative coproincidence suggests significant exposure of dogs and cats to this parasite eggs in public spaces, which generates interest in public health and reinforces the need for a “One Health” approach.
Peña et al. (Thu,) studied this question.