Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. Co-infection

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. infections can cause systemic and ocular disease. To estimate the prevalence of infection with these organisms, we tested serum samples from persons > or = 12 years of age obtained in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). Among those tested for both T. gondii and Toxocara spp. (n = 16,646), the age-adjusted T. gondii antibody prevalence was 23.6% (95% confidence limit [CL] = 22.1-25.1%) and the Toxocara spp. antibody prevalence was 14.0% (95% CL = 12.7-15.4%). Multivariate analysis controlling demographic and risk factors showed that persons infected with Toxocara spp. were more likely to be infected with T. gondii (odds ratio [OR] = 1.93, 95% CL = 1.61-2.31), and similarly, persons infected with T. gondii were more likely to be infected with Toxocara spp. (OR = 1.91, 95% CL = 1.59-2.28). Infection with T. gondii and Toxocara spp. are common and can be prevented by many similar interventions.