EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HUMAN TOXOCARIASIS IN LA REUNION

In La Reunion island (Indian Ocean) a seroepidemiological survey for t oxocariasis was carried out among 387 subjects over 15 years old by We stern blotting using Toxocara canis excretory-secretory larval antigen s; 92.8% of the sera were positive. Statistical study, including logis tic regression analysts, showed a significant correlation of Western b lot results with sex, age, and absence of water supply. The final logi stic model demonstrated that only the last 2 factors were significant multiplicative risk factors for toxocariasis. Sex was an independent r isk factor. With this level of infection, we suggest that further surv eys of ocular toxocariasis in children and teenagers of La Reunion wou ld be advisable.