Toxocariasis and multiple sclerosis: A case-control study in Iran

Human toxocariasis is a zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of Toxocara species. A relationship between toxocariasis and multiple sclerosis has been hypothesized. In this study, we aimed at investigating the frequency of Toxocara infection among multiple sclerosis patients and the epidemiological factors associated with disease. Sixty-eight patients with multiple sclerosis and 70 healthy subjects were studied. Anti-Toxocara antibodies status was determined in all serum samples, using ELISA technique. The frequency of Toxocara infection was found to be significantly higher in multiple sclerosis patients as compared to the healthy control (14.7%, 1.4%, respectively) (P=0.004). There was no significant difference between multiple sclerosis patients and control group in age, education, and gender (P>0.05). This study indicates that a significant association between Toxocara seropositivity and multiple sclerosis. Our finding suggests that toxocariasis infection may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis.