Environmental exposure to Toxocara as a possible risk factor for asthma: Aclinic-based case-control study

The zoonotic ascarid Toxocara has been suggested as a possible etiologic ag ent of asthma. We conducted a clinic-based case-control study to examine wh ether the zoonotic infection acquired by ingesting Toxocara eggs is associa ted with asthma in children. Blood samples were collected from children age d 2-15 years, 95 of whom had asthma and 229 of whom did not have asthma. Ri sk factors for asthma and Toxocara infection were assessed by a questionnai re given to each child's parent or legal guardian. Blood samples were teste d for the presence of Toxocara antibodies, using an enzyme-linked immunosor bent assay. No significant association was found between Toxocara infection and asthma. Significant associations were found between asthma and risk fa ctors and between Toxocara infection and risk factors. High prevalence of T oxocara infection was noted among Hispanic children of Puerto Rican descent .