Korean J Parasitol.  2012 Mar;50(1):23-27. 10.3347/kjp.2012.50.1.23.

Transmission of Toxocara canis via Ingestion of Raw Cow Liver: A Cross-Sectional Study in Healthy Adults

• Choi D
• Lim JH
• Choi DC
• Lee KS
• Paik SW
• Kim SH
• Choi YH
• Huh S

• KMID: 1364891
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2012.50.1.23

Abstract

The aim of this study is to ascertain the relationship between ingestion of raw cow liver and Toxocara canis infection. A total of 150 apparently healthy adults were divided into 2 groups; 1 group consisted of 86 adults with positive results of Toxocara ELISA, and the other group of 64 adults with negative results. One researcher collected the history of ingestion of raw cow liver within 1 year and recent history of keeping dogs. Among 86 seropositive adults for T. canis, 68 (79.1%) had a recent history of ingestion of raw cow liver. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that a recent ingestion of raw cow liver and keeping dogs were related to an increased risk of toxocariasis (odds ratios, 4.4 and 3.7; and 95% confidence intervals, 1.9-10.2 and 1.2-11.6, respectively). A recent history of ingestion of raw cow liver and keeping dogs was significantly associated with toxocariasis.

Keyword

Toxocara canis; toxocariasis; visceral larva migrans; liver; food-borne helminthiasis

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Animals
Cattle
Cross-Sectional Studies
Eating
Female
Humans
Liver/*parasitology
Male
Middle Aged
Toxocara canis/isolation & purification/*physiology
Toxocariasis/parasitology/*physiopathology/*transmission