Asthma and toxocariasis

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2014 Aug;113(2):187-92. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2014.05.016. Epub 2014 Jun 13.

Abstract

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children and a major public health problem in adults. A relation between asthma and toxocariasis has been hypothesized.

Objective: To evaluate the strength of association between asthma and Toxocara species seropositivity by conducting a systematic review and a meta-analysis of available data.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the reference lists of all relevant articles and books were screened until October 2013. Two authors independently assessed eligibility and study quality and extracted data. A common odds ratio was estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis model of aggregated published data.

Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, for a total of 1,530 participants (723 cases and 807 controls). This meta-analysis found a significantly higher prevalence of Toxocara canis infection in patients with asthma than in controls (odds ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval 1.76-6.42, P < .001). Similar results were found when meta-analysis was restricted to the studies considering only children or adults.

Conclusion: The results support the existence of a positive association between asthma and Toxocara species seropositivity.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Toxocara canis / immunology*
  • Toxocariasis / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult