Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. Co-infection

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 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.