Abstract This research work presents a detailed description of the flow patterns maps generated in a horizontal pipe of the collector/evaporator of a direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump, using R600a refrigerant as working fluid. The study was performed in a pipe with an internal diameter of 3.8 mm and a length of 1000 mm, mass velocities varying between 197.59 and 267.26 kg·m−2 ·s−1 and heat flux between 72.83 and 488.27 W·m−2 ; during the experimental tests, an incident solar radiation between 0 and 652.9 W·m−2 was present. The Wojtan, Ursenbacher and Thome correlation was considered for the analysis and the model used does not require iterative calculations; moreover, it carries out a detailed analysis of the different zones present along the pipe. The predominant zones in this study are intermittent, annular and dryout, found in the five tests, however, due to the working conditions in all tests with the exception of test A, mist and stratified-wavy flow were found.

Resumen En la presente investigación se detallan los mapas de patrones de flujo que se generan en una tubería horizontal de un colector/evaporador componente de una bomba de calor de expansión directa asistida por energía solar, utilizando el refrigerante R600a como fluido de trabajo. El estudio se realizó en una tubería de 3,8 mm de diámetro interno y 1000 mm de longitud, las velocidades de masa variaron entre 197,59 y 267,26 kg·m−2 ·s −1, el flujo de calor entre 72,83 y 488,27 W·m−2 , durante las pruebas experimentales se presentó una radiación solar incidente entre 0 y 652,9 W·m−2 . Se consideró para el análisis la correlación de Wojtan, Ursenbacher y Thome, el modelo utilizado no requiere de cálculos iterativos, además, plantea un análisis detallado de las diferentes zonas presentes a lo largo de la tubería, evidenciando una mayor precisión en los resultados. Las zonas predominantes en los resultados de este estudio son intermitente, anular y secado, encontrados en las cinco pruebas, sin embargo, por las condiciones de trabajo en todas las pruebas a excepción de la prueba A, se encontró el flujo niebla y estratificado-ondulado.

Abstract The aim of the present investigation was to perform a flat plate solar collector numerical analysis by CFD, in addition to a comparison with experimental results. The working fluid reached a maximum outlet temperature of 20.16 °C at 12:00, the value of solar radiation was determined for the geographical coordinates latitude -0.2252 and longitude -77.84, similarly, at this time it was possible to obtain a collector surface temperature of 27.12 °C, as a peak value. The heat transfer device lowest performance was determined at 10:00 with an outlet water temperature value and maximum temperature at the collector surface of 18.65 and 20.48 °C, respectively. The experimental results showed a maximum temperature of 20.93 °C and a minimum temperature of 19.4 °C, resulting in a 4.01 % error between the computational simulation and the experimental data.

Resumen La estimulación cerebral profunda (DBS por sus siglas en inglés) ha sido usada exitosamente en el tratamiento de pacientes con enfermedad de Párkinson. La DBS tiene un electrodo que regula la actividad oscilatoria de los ganglios basales involucrados, como el núcleo subtalámico (STN). Un aspecto crítico en el implante de dicho electrodo es la localización precisa de la diana quirúrgica. Esta se realiza mediante imágenes pre-quirúrgicas, marcos estereotácticos y registros de micro-electrodos (MER). Este último permite visualizar la actividad eléctrica de diferentes estructuras a través del recorrido quirúrgico, cada una de ellas con un patrón de variaciones bien definidas en frecuencia; sin embargo, esto dista de ser un método automático o semi-automático que ayude al neurofisiólogo a tomar decisiones en cuanto a la diana quirúrgica. Con el ánimo de contribuir a la automatización, analizamos tres bandas de frecuencias de señales MER adquiridas en 11 pacientes sometidos a DBS: beta (13-40 Hz), gamma (40-200 Hz) y oscilaciones de alta frecuencia (HFO - 201-400 Hz). Se propusieron y evaluaron 5 índices para detectar el STN: variaciones de parámetros auto-regresivos y su derivada a lo largo del recorrido quirúrgico, la energía de cada banda a partir de la densidad espectral de potencia mediante el método de Yule-Walker, la relación de frecuencias altas a bajas y su derivada. Encontramos que la derivada de un parámetro de la banda beta y la relación alta-bajas de las bandas HFO/gamma alcanzaron errores en la localización del STN, similares a los reportados en la literatura (<2mm). Aunque los índices propuestos son sencillos de calcular y de fácil implementación en tiempo real, se deben seguir explorando para incrementar la capacidad de generalización de los resultados obtenidos.

Abstract Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been successfully used to treat patients with Parkinson’s Disease. DBS employs an electrode that regulates the oscillatory activity of the basal ganglia, such as the subthalamic nucleus (STN). A critical point during the surgical implantation of such electrode is the precise localization of the target. This is done using presurgical images, stereotactic frames, and microelectrode recordings (MER). The latter allows neurophysiologists to visualize the electrical activity of different structures along the surgical track, each of them with well-defined variations in the frequency pattern; however, this is far from an automatic or semi-automatic method to help these specialists make decisions concerning the surgical target. To pave the way to automation, we analyzed three frequency bands in MER signals acquired from 11 patients undergoing DBS: beta (13-40 Hz), gamma (40-200 Hz), and high-frequency oscillations (HFO - 201-400 Hz). In this study, we propose and assess five indexes in order to detect the STN: variations in autoregressive parameters and their derivative along the surgical track, the energy of each band calculated using the Yule-Walker power spectral density, the high-to-low (H/L) ratio, and its derivative. We found that the derivative of one parameter of the beta band and the H/L ratio of the HFO/gamma bands produced errors in STN targeting like those reported in the literature produced by image-based methods (<2 mm). Although the indexes introduced here are simple to compute and could be applied in real time, further studies must be conducted to be able to generalize their results.

Abstract The investigation purpose is to elaborate a detailed review about previous published investigations with direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pumps (DX-SAHP) used for water heating, in the last years. The growing energy consumption, the using of refrigerants that weaken the ozone layer, the greenhouse gases emission to the atmosphere and the global warming effect are the main problems that the conventional water heating systems present. Using hydrocarbons as refrigerants represents a pollution reduction and it is also the best option to replace hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, due to their low values of global warming potential and ozone depletion potential, close to 0. A DX-SAHP system takes advantage of the thermal solar energy directly by using a bare flat-plate solar collector. These systems provide domestic hot water over 50 °C and heating water volumes until 200 liters reaching COP values higher than 4. Solar energy and the using of alternative refrigerants with a low environmental impact are proposed to reach this purpose.

Resumen El objetivo del presente artículo es revisar de forma detallada las distintas investigaciones realizadas con sistemas de bombas de calor de expansión directa asistidas por energía solar (DX-SAHP) utilizadas para el calentamiento de agua en los últimos años. El creciente consumo energético, el uso de refrigerantes que debilitan la capa de ozono, la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero a la atmósfera y los efectos en el calentamiento global, son los principales problemas que presentan los sistemas convencionales de calentamiento de agua. El uso de hidrocarburos como refrigerantes representa una reducción en la contaminación, además de ser una de las mejores opciones para reemplazar a los clorofluorocarbonos e hidroclorofluorocarbonos por sus valores de potencial de calentamiento global y potencial de destrucción de la capa de ozono cercanos a 0. Un sistema DX-SAHP aprovecha la energía solar térmica directamente, empleando un colector solar de placa plana sin cubierta. Esos sistemas proporcionan agua caliente sanitaria a más de 50 °C, calentando volúmenes de agua de hasta 200 litros, alcanzando valores de COP superiores a 4. La energía solar y el uso de refrigerantes alternativos de bajo impacto ambiental son propuestos para alcanzar este propósito.

Resumen En el presente artículo se analizan algunos rasgos de la influencia del escritor estadounidense William Faulkner en la narrativa de Juan Carlos Onetti. El trabajo representa una lectura de tres temas de la teología sistemática: la fe, Dios y la carne, tal como aparecen en las obras de ambos autores. En la primera parte, se toma como esquema de análisis la teoría elaborada por el mexicano Carlos Fuentes que indaga sobre las tres razones por las cuales los autores del boom latinoamericano adoptaron el estilo narrativo de Faulkner: el mito del lugar ficticio, la derrota y el tiempo circular a manera del eterno retorno. En la segunda, se ofrecen ejemplos de los rasgos de la influencia faulkneriana en varios autores del llamado boom latinoamericano, con especial referencia a Juan Carlos Onetti. El trabajo se centra en las novelas La vida breve y El astillero de Onetti y ¡Absalón, Absalón! de Faulkner. En las conclusiones, se reflexiona sobre el modo en que son presentados los temas de la fe, Dios y la carne en la narrativa de ambos autores, el tipo de teología que reflejan -católica o protestante- y sus puntos de convergencia y divergencia. Se ha optado por una metodología hermenéutica.

Abstract In this article some features of the influence of American writer William Faulkner in the narrative of Juan Carlos Onetti's is analyzed. This work represents a reading on three topics of systematic theology: faith, God and the flesh; as they appear in both authors' work. In the first part, the theory developed by the Mexican Carlos Fuentes is taken as a framework of analysis that explores the three reasons why the authors of the Latin American boom adopted Faulkner's narrative style: the myth of the fictional place, defeat and circular time as a way of eternal return. In the second one, examples of Faulkner's influence in several authors of the so-called Latin American boom are offered, with a special reference of Juan Carlos Onetti's. The work focuses on the novels La vida breve and El Astillero of Onetti's and Absalom, Absalom! Of Faulkner's. In the conclusions, we reflect on the way the issues of faith, God and the flesh are presented in the narrative of both authors, the kind of theology they reflect - Catholic or Protestant- and their points of convergence and divergence. An hermeneutical methodology has been chosen.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a cinética e a avidez de anticorpos anti-Toxocara canis, em coelhas infectadas experimentalmente com ovos embrionados de Toxocara canis. Foram utilizados 17 coelhos New Zealand de linhagem branca, com quatro meses de idade, distribuídos em dois grupos. No grupo experimental, doze coelhas foram infectadas, oralmente, com 1.000 ovos larvados de T. canis. Um segundo grupo (n=5), não infectado, foi utilizado como controle. Nos dias 7, 14, 21, 28 e 60 pós-infecção (DPI), foram coletadas amostras de soro para análise. O teste de ELISA indireto foi realizado para avaliar o índice de reatividade (IR) de anticorpos IgG anti-T. canis e para cálculo do índice de avidez (IA). A soroconversão nos animais ocorreu a partir do140 DPI, com verificação de alto IA (superior a 50%), com exceção de um animal, que apresentou médio IA. Aos 60 DPI, todos os animais foram soropositivos e mantiveram alto IA. Os dados mostram que em coelhos infectados por T. canis, anticorpos IgG específicos formam-se precocemente (14 DPI), apresentando alto índice de avidez e que se mantém durante o curso da infecção.

Abstract An evaluation was made of the kinetics and avidity of anti-Toxocara antibodies (IgG) in rabbits experimentally infected with embryonated Toxocara canis eggs. Seventeen four month old New Zealand White rabbits were distributed into two groups. In the experimental group, twelve rabbits were infected orally with 1,000 embryonated T. canis eggs. A second group (n = 5), uninfected, was used as a control. Serum samples were collected for analysis on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 60 post-infection (DPI). An indirect ELISA test was performed to evaluate the reactivity index (RI) of IgG anti-T. canis antibodies and to calculate the avidity index (AI). The animals showed seroconversion from the 14th DPI, with high AI (over 50%) except for one animal, which presented an intermediate AI. At 60 DPI, all the animals were seropositive and maintained a high AI. The data indicated that specific IgG antibodies formed early (14 DPI) in rabbits infected with T. canis, with a high avidity index that persisted throughout the course of the infection.

Objective. To estimate frequency of toxocariosis in Lima Region. Methods. During 2013, a non- randomized serological survey was performed by Elisa technique in four Lima Region provinces’ (Cajatambo, Canta, Huaral and Yauyos) inhabitants. Sera samples were obtained by DIRESA Lima and Regional Reference Laboratory of Public Health workers and processed at Tropical Medicine Institute “Daniel A. Carrion” of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. Results. From 442 sera samples obtained 142 (32.1%) were positive to Toxocara; 54% of participants were female, 31% were between 31-59 years, 45% had a dog or cat at home. There were no significant differences between serology and ages or sex or in having dog or cats. Conclusions. Toxocariosis is frequent in Lima Region inhabitants. It is necessary to perform representative studies to determine prevalence of this infection.

Objetivo. Estimar la frecuencia de toxocariosis en la Región Lima. Métodos. Durante el año 2013, se realizó una encuesta serológica no aleatorizada mediante la técnica de Elisa en pobladores de cuatro provincias de la Región Lima (Cajatambo, Canta, Huaral y Yauyos). Las muestras fueron obtenidas por personal de la DIRESA Lima, del Laboratorio de Referencia Regional en Salud Pública y procesadas en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Daniel A. Carrión” de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú. Resultados. Se recolectaron 442 muestras de suero, de las cuales 142 (32,1%) fueron positivas a toxocara. El 54% de participantes fue de sexo femenino, 31% tenía entre 31 y 59 años, 45% manifestó tener un perro o un gato en su hogar. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los resultados de serología y las edades y sexos ni tenencia de canes o gatos en la población estudiada. Conclusiones. La toxocariosis es frecuente en la población de la Región Lima, por lo que es necesario realizar estudios representativos para determinar la prevalencia de esta infección.

The immunogenicity of Bothrops atrox, "jergón", venom was studied using ELISA and Western Blot methods, as well as cross-reactivity patterns against venoms of Bothrops brazili, Lachesis muta and Crotalus durissus. For this purpose, New Zealand white rabbits (2 kg aprox) were immunized with four 500 µg doses of B. atrox venom in a period of 90 days. Antibody production was followed using ELISA technique, and title of hiper-immune serum was determined at the end of immunization protocol. Additionally, electrophoretic patterns of venoms were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and venom reactivity against obtained serum by ELISA and Western Blot. Immunization schedule allowed a pronounced antibody production since day 20 of protocol. At the end of process, serum title was 256000, which demonstrated both efficacy and usefulness of the developed procedure. On the other hand, studied venoms showed a heterogenic protein composition according to their electrophoretic patterns, whereas cross-reactivity values of 23,7%, 4,0% and 1,8% were obtained between B. atrox venom and B. brazili, L. muta and C. durissus venoms, respectively, using immunoenzymatic methods. According to our results, this procedure constitutes an initial step for further assays directed to optimization in immunoserum production for envenoming treatment and development of kits for diagnosis and species identification of snakes.

Se estudió la inmunogenicidad del veneno de la serpiente Bothrops atrox, "jergón", utilizando los métodos inmunoenzimáticos de ELISA y Western Blot, así como los patrones de reactividad cruzada empleando los venenos de las serpientes Bothrops brazili, Lachesis muta y Crotalus durissus. Para este fin se inmunizaron conejos albinos Nueva Zelanda (2 kg aprox) con cuatro dosis de 500 ¼g del veneno de B. atrox en un periodo de 90 días. La producción de anticuerpos fue monitoreada mediante la técnica de ELISA, determinándose el título del suero hiperinmune obtenido al final del protocolo de inmunización. Adicionalmente se analizaron los patrones electroforéticos de los venenos en estudio mediante PAGE-SDS y su reactividad frente al suero obtenido mediante ELISA y Western Blot. El esquema de inmunización utilizado permitió una producción sostenida de anticuerpos a partir del día 20 del protocolo. Finalizado este proceso, el título del suero fue calculado en 256000, lo cual mostró la eficacia y practicidad del procedimiento desarrollado. Por otro lado, los venenos estudiados mostraron una heterogeneidad en su composición proteica a partir del análisis de sus patrones electroforéticos, mientras que a partir de los estudios inmunoenzimáticos, se pudo obtener valores de reactividad cruzada entre el veneno de B. atrox y los venenos de B. brazili, L. muta y C. durissus, de 23,7%, 4,0% y 1,8%, respectivamente. Los resultados obtenidos constituyen el paso inicial para posteriores ensayos dirigidos a la optimización en la producción de inmunosueros para el tratamiento del envenenamiento, así como para el desarrollo de kits de diagnóstico e identificación de especies de serpiente.

Toxocariasis is an infection caused by nematode larvae from Toxocara genus, and the most important infective agents for humans are Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, parasites from dogs and cats, respectively. Toxocara species belong to Ascaridida order, Ascaridodea super-family, Toxocaridae family. The disease in humans is mainly caused by T. canis. Human toxocariasis was described for the .rst time by Wilder in 1950, who identi.ed a then-unknown nematode in a child presenting with a granulomatous lesion in one of his eyes. In 1952, Beaver reported cases of a multi-systemic, chronic, and sever disease, associated to hypereosinophilia. In Peru, in 1991, Maguiña et al. reported the very.rst cases of visceral larva migrans, and in 1999, Miranda et al. reported the very .rst cases of ocular larva migrans.

Toxocariosis es una infección causada por larvas de nemátodos del género Toxocara siendo T. canis o Toxocara cati, nemátodos del perro y gato respectivamente, los más importantes para el ser humano. Las especies del Género Toxocara pertenecen a la orden Ascaridida, superfamilia Ascaridiodea, familia Toxocaridae2. La enfermedad es ocasionada principalmente por T. canis. La toxocariosis humana fue descrita por primera vez por Wilder en 1950, quien identificó un nemátodo de especie desconocida en un granuloma de retina de un niño. En 1952, Beaver reportó casos de una enfermedad multisistémica, crónica y severa, asociada a hipereosinofilia . En el Perú, en 1991, Maguiña y col reportaron los primeros casos de Larva migrans visceral y en 1999, Miranda y col, reportaron los primeros casos de Larva migrans ocular.

Human toxocarosis is an important parasitic zoonosis caused by larval stages of Toxocara species, the roundworms from dogs and cats. Larval migration through different soft tissues in the human generates several clinical entities in the patient, such as visceral larva migrans, ocular toxocarosis, and neurotoxocarosis. Definitive diagnosis by histopathological methods is very difficult or almost impossible and, nowadays, the diagnosis is usually made by clinical signs/symptoms, epidemiological background of the patient and the use of hematological and immunological tests which finally help to confirm the clinical suspicion of the illness. The purpose of this paper was to update the available knowledge on the use of different tools for both the diagnosis and following up of human toxocarosis.

La toxocarosis humana es una importante zoonosis parasitaria causada por formas larvarias de especies del género Toxocara, un parásito nematodo de los perros y los gatos. La migración de la larva por los diferentes tejidos blandos en el ser humano genera una serie de entidades clínicas en el paciente, tales como el síndrome de larva migrans visceral, la toxocarosis ocular y la neurotoxocarosis. El diagnóstico definitivo es mediante la histopatología en biopsias, pero resulta ser casi imposible de realizar y actualmente su diagnóstico se establece mediante el análisis de la sintomatología clínica, los antecedentes epidemiológicos del paciente y el uso de pruebas hematológicas e inmunológicas de laboratorio que son las que finalmente ayudan a confirmar la sospecha clínica de la enfermedad. El propósito del presente artículo es actualizar los conocimientos que se tienen sobre el uso de las diferentes herramientas para establecer el diagnóstico y el monitoreo de la toxocarosis humana.

Human toxocarosis is an important parasitic zoonosis caused by larval stages of Toxocara species, the roundworms from dogs and cats. Larval migration through different soft tissues in the human generates several clinical entities in the patient, such as visceral larva migrans, ocular toxocarosis, and neurotoxocarosis. Definitive diagnosis by histopathological methods is very difficult or almost impossible and, nowadays, the diagnosis is usually made by clinical signs/symptoms, epidemiological background of the patient and the use of hematological and immunological tests which finally help to confirm the clinical suspicion of the illness. The purpose of this paper was to update the available knowledge on the use of different tools for both the diagnosis and following up of human toxocarosis.

La toxocarosis humana es una importante zoonosis parasitaria causada por formas larvarias de especies del género Toxocara, un parásito nematodo de los perros y los gatos. La migración de la larva por los diferentes tejidos blandos en el ser humano genera una serie de entidades clínicas en el paciente, tales como el síndrome de larva migrans visceral, la toxocarosis ocular y la neurotoxocarosis. El diagnóstico definitivo es mediante la histopatología en biopsias, pero resulta ser casi imposible de realizar y actualmente su diagnóstico se establece mediante el análisis de la sintomatología clínica, los antecedentes epidemiológicos del paciente y el uso de pruebas hematológicas e inmunológicas de laboratorio que son las que finalmente ayudan a confirmar la sospecha clínica de la enfermedad. El propósito del presente artículo es actualizar los conocimientos que se tienen sobre el uso de las diferentes herramientas para establecer el diagnóstico y el monitoreo de la toxocarosis humana.

O propósito do presente trabalho foi estimar a soroprevalência da toxocaríase humana em três comunidades andinas do Nordeste de Lima, Peru. Foi estudado um total de 303 pessoas, entre crianças e adultos. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue para a detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxocara e para a análise hematológica, além de amostras fecais para o exame parasitológico. A soroprevalência geral da população foi de 20,46% com proporção significativamente maior de positividade em crianças de um a 10 anos (p = 0,034). Das pessoas com sorologia positiva, 32,26% apresentavam sintomas respiratórios, 22,58% moléstias hepáticas, 17,74% manifestações oculares, 14,51% dor abdominal, e 4,84% sinais cutâneos. Além disso, 79,03% das pessoas com sorologia positiva tinham pelo menos algum parasito intestinal com associação significativa (p < 0.05). A presença de cachorros dentro das casas, história de pica ou geofagia e o uso dos lugares públicos também estiveram presentes nesta população, mas o ultimo deles só esteve associado com a sorologia positiva (p < 0.05). Conclui-se que existem evidências clínicas, sorológicas e epidemiológicas de infecção por larvas de Toxocara na população estudada.

The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in three Andean communities from the Northeast of Lima, Peru. A total of 303 subjects including children and adults were studied and blood samples were collected to detect anti-Toxocara antibodies by ELISA-IgG test and by hematological examination; stool samples were collected also for parasitological examination. The overall seroprevalence of toxocariasis observed in the total population was 20.46%, with a significant high proportion in children from one to 10 years old (p = 0.034). Among the subjects with positive serology, 32.26% of them had respiratory disturbances, 22.58% hepatomegaly, 17.74% ocular signs or symptoms, 14.51% abdominal pain, 9.68% neurological involvement, and 4.84% cutaneous signs, but none of these clinical features were associated to a positive serology by multivariate analysis. Furthermore, 79.03% of seropositive subjects also harbored at least one intestinal parasite, which was associated to a positive serology (p < 0.05). The presence of pets within the houses, a previous history of pica or geophagia and the use of public places were also present in this population, but only the latter was associated to the serology (p < 0.05). In conclusion, clinical, serological, and epidemiological evidences for larval Toxocara infection were found in the studied population.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a soroprevalência da infecção por Toxocara em população geral da cidade de Yurimaguas, Peru. Entre os meses de Março e Agosto de 2008, foi estudado um total de 300 pessoas por exame imunológico mediante Toxocara ELISA-IgG teste. Uma ficha clínico-epidemiológica foi utilizada para avaliar a sintomatologia e os fatores de risco associados à toxocaríase. A freqüência geral de anticorpos na população foi de 35,66% com proporção significativamente maior de positividade em meninos de um a 10 anos (p < 0.001). A avaliação clínica revelou que 95.33% do grupo de soropositivos apresentava algum tipo de sintomatologia associada à toxocaríase: 66,36% cefaléia, 63,55% sintomas respiratórios, 54,21% dor abdominal, 40,19% sinais cutâneos e 36,45% manifestações oculares e quase todos estes sinais foram estatisticamente associados ao resultado da sorologia (p < 0.001). Além disso, 56,07% das pessoas com sorologia positiva tinham pelo menos algum parasito intestinal patogênico e com predominância de helmintos, mas sem nenhuma associação significativa (p = 0.334). A análise dos fatores de risco mostrou que o uso de lugares públicos e história de geofagia tiveram significativa associação com a sorologia positiva (p < 0,001). Conclui-se que existem evidências clínicas, sorológicas e epidemiológicas de infecção por Toxocara na população estudada e futuros estudos são necessários para avaliar este sério problema de saúde pública.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of the infection by Toxocara in the general population of the Amazonian city of Yurimaguas, Peru. From March to August 2008, a total of 300 subjects were sampled and tested by means of a Toxocara ELISA-IgG test. A clinical and epidemiological questionnaire was used to assess the symptomatology and risk factors associated with human toxocariasis. The overall rate of seropositivity was 35.66%, with a significant high proportion in children (p < 0.001). The clinical evaluation revealed that 95.33% of the seropositive group had some type of symptomatology: headache (66.36%), respiratory compromise (63.55%), abdominal pain (54.21%), cutaneous signs (40.19%) and ocular manifestations (36.45%), and almost all of them were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 56.07% of the seropositive subjects presented at least one intestinal pathogen parasite with predominance of helminthes, but without significant association (p = 0.334). The analysis of risk factors showed only that the use of public places and geophagia exhibited a significant association with the seropositivity (p < 0.001). Clinical, serological and epidemiological findings associated to infection with Toxocara were observed in the present study and future studies should be done to assess this serious health problem.