Toxocara Infection and Epilepsy in Children: A Case‐Control Study

Summary: A case‐control study of 305 children was done to evaluate the relationship between toxocariasis and seizures and risk factors associated with toxocariasis transmission and seizure onset. A significant association existed between seropositivity for mti‐Toxocara canis and seizures (p < 0.05); the correlation was closest in children aged <5 years of age. Among risk factors, pica was more common in children with seizures than in controls but was not associated with toxocariasis. The association between dog ownership and toxocariasis was highly significant (p < .000001). Our findings suggest that toxocariasis may be involved as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of seizures.

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