The aim of this study was to determine Toxocara canis seroprevalence in Elazig region. A total of 277 volun-teer subjects with no complaints included in this study. IgG antibodies were detected in serum samples by ELISA test using initially Toxocara EIA kit (International Immunodiagnostics, USA) followed by Celisa (Cellabs, Australia) kit. All procedures described for this kits were applied. In addition to 20 samples including 6 with highly prominent posi-tivity were sent to the Department of Parasitology of Ege University where antibody against Toxocara E/S is utilised in ELISA for reassessment and 6 positive samples were confirmed.

Ages of 277 subject included in this study varied between 0-90 (mean 35±20). The subjects were 138 male (49.9%) and 139 (50.1%) female. Subjects were divided into age groups of 0-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over, and these groups included 33 (11.9%), 42 (15.3%), 40 (14.4%), 43 (15.5%), 39 (14.0%), 36 (13.0%), and 44 (15.9%), respectively. Of the cases 117 (42.2%) happened to have pets while the remaining 160 (57.8%) were living in non-animal keeping families. Of the positive cases 4 was in animal keeping and 2 non-animal keeping family.

As a result, since the animals in our province either living in houses or free have about 2.7-44.7% T. canis, we expected to find T. canis seropositivity to be higher. Low sensitivity of the kits we used or the small number of patients involved in this study may account for this result. Furthermore comprehensive studies involving different populations are needed.