Seroprevalence of Anti-Toxocara IgG and Potential Risk Factors Among Adults in Northern Kazakhstan

Human toxocariasis is a globally distributed zoonosis caused by nematodes of the genus Toxocara, yet epidemiological data from Kazakhstan remain scarce. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies and to assess potential risk factors among adults in northern Kazakhstan. A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study enrolled 1000 adult residents of the Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions (500 per region). Serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies against Toxocara spp. by ELISA and Western blot. Antibodies were detected by ELISA in 102 (10.2%; 95% CI: 8.5–12.2%) and by Western blot in 93 (9.3%; 95% CI: 7.7–11.3%) of the 1000 participants. Agreement between ELISA and WB was 99.1% (Cohen’s κ = 0.949; 95% CI: 0.916–0.982; p < 0.001). Seroprevalence was 10.0% (50/500) in Pavlodar and 8.6% (43/500) in North Kazakhstan (p = 0.514; OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 0.77–1.81). Univariate analysis revealed no statistically significant association between seropositivity and age, sex, place of residence (urban/rural), or any of the potential risk factors examined. These findings indicate exposure of the population of northern Kazakhstan to Toxocara spp. and support the use of two methods (ELISA and WB) in seroepidemiological surveys. Studies with broader geographic coverage are warranted.