Visceral larval migrans of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in non-canid and non-felid hosts.

Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are considered the most ubiquitous gastrointestinal helminths in domesticated canids and felids. Ascarid eggs passed in the faeces of canids and felids in a suitable environment may remain infective for years and are capable of infecting not only canids and felids, but a large range of other vertebrate paratenic hosts, including man. Infection with Toxocara species also occurs following the ingestion of paratenic hosts containing infective larvae. As infective larvae are incapable of completing their lifecycle in these hosts, they instead travel to different parts of the body, sometimes inducing inflammatory responses, and in some cases remaining entrapped in the body for years. Migration routes depend on the host species; however, nearly all organs may be affected with varying quantities of larval burdens.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Toxocariasis in Iran: Is it Time to Take it Seriously?

BACKGROUND: Toxocariasis is one of the neglected zoonosis with considerable public health importance around the world. The current study aimed to elucidate the overall prevalence of Toxocara infection in human and definitive hosts and also the contamination of soil and raw vegetables with the ova of these parasites, in Iran, using systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Six English and Persian databases were explored from 2000 to 2017 using the terms toxocariasis, Toxocara spp., visceral larva migrans, Iran, epidemiology, and prevalence. This meta-analysis conducted using STATA, and for all statistical tests, a p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. The random-effects model was used to the report of the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of toxocariasis in human was calculated as 11% (95% CI 8-13%). In terms of definitive hosts, the pooled prevalence of Toxocara infection in dogs and cats were calculated as 17% (95% CI 14-20%) and 37% (95% CI 26-48%), respectively. Also, the pooled prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in the soil and raw vegetable samples were calculated as 18% (95% CI 13-23%) and 2% (95% CI 1-3%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of current study demonstrate that toxocariasis should be taken more seriously by health authorities. Implementing an appropriate control program is necessary to reduce the incidence of this disease in Iran.

Survey of German pet owners quantifying endoparasitic infection risk and implications for deworming recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Dogs and cats can transmit zoonotic helminths to humans, e.g. Toxocara spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis. Strategic deworming may help minimize this risk. Studies in several European countries have shown that pets are dewormed less frequently against roundworms and tapeworms than recommended by the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP). The objective of this study was to identify percentages of dogs and cats falling into the different risk categories defined by the German ESCCAP guidelines and to evaluate whether deworming frequency and parasite monitoring in Germany follows these guidelines. RESULTS: According to questionnaire results from 500 dog and 500 cat owners, deworming of dogs in Germany averages 2.07 times/year while for cats this average is 1.72 times/year. In contrast, evaluation of risk factors placed only 2% (10/500) of dogs in ESCCAP category A with a recommended deworming/examination frequency of 1-2 times per year, while 4.8% (24/500) were placed in category B (4 treatments/examinations per year recommended), 30.8% (154/500) in category C (12 treatments/examinations per year against tapeworms and 4 treatments/examinations per year against roundworms recommended) and 62.4% (312/500) in category D (12 treatments/examinations per year recommended). All cats were placed either in risk group A [52.8% (264/500)] or D [47.2% (236/500)]. Generalized linear models indicated that risk group D cats were treated significantly more often against helminths than risk group A cats. There were no significant differences in deworming frequency between risk groups in dogs. The most important factor influencing deworming frequency was the frequency of veterinary visits. Dogs and cats were treated significantly more often if owners visited their veterinarian more than once yearly. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage distribution of risk groups considerably varied between dogs and cats. Nevertheless, 62% of dogs and 47% of cats were assigned to category D for which monthly treatments/examinations are recommended by the ESCCAP guidelines. Veterinarians play a key role in instructing pet owners with regard to helminthoses and their prevention, and should take the time for adequate risk assessments. The reported low deworming frequencies despite the high potential parasite infection risk suggests that pet owner advice through veterinarians needs to be improved.

Socio-economic burden of parasitic infections in yaks from 1984 to 2017 on Qinghai Tibetan Plateau of China-A review.

Yak is an important animal for the Tibetans at Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China. The burden of parasitic diseases has been a major threat to the health of yaks at this region presenting a considerable socio-economic losses and impact to yak production and local nomads. Keeping in view, we collected the published papers from 1984 to 2017 on major parasitic infections in yaks by electronic literature search from five databases including CNKI, Google, PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science. The prevalence of Eimeria, Babesia, Theileria, Hypodermosis, Cystic echinococcosis, Alveolar echinococcosis, Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Cryptosporidium, Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Toxocara vitulorum, and Fascioliasis infection in yaks was found to be 48.02%, 13.06%, 36.11%, 59.85%, 16.93%, 0.99%, 20.50%, 5.14%, 10.00%, 3.68%, 4.07%, 22.23% and 28.7% respectively. Data presented are contemplated to enhance our current understanding on the major parasitic diseases of yaks at Qinghai Tibetan plateau, China. The main aim of this effort is to ameliorate the effects of the parasitic burden in this specie; so that, the attempts are made to minimize the incidence of these infections in future to raise the socio-economic levels of local community.

The hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as an experimental model of toxocariasis: histopathological, immunohistochemical, and immunoelectron microscopic findings.

Toxocariasis is a globally distributed parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of Toxocara spp. The typical natural hosts of the parasite are dogs and cats, but humans can be infected by the larval stage of the parasite after ingesting embryonated eggs in soil or from contaminated hands or fomites. The migrating larvae are not adapted to complete their life cycle within accidental or paratenic hosts like humans and laboratory animals, respectively, but they are capable of invading viscera or other tissues where they may survive and induce disease. In order to characterize hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) as a model for Toxocara canis infection, histopathological and immunohistochemistry procedures were used to detect pathological lesions and the distribution of toxocaral antigens in the liver, lungs, and kidneys of experimentally infected animals. We also attempted to characterize the immunological parameters of the inflammatory response and correlate them with the histopathological findings. In the kidney, a correlation between glomerular changes and antigen deposits was evaluated using immunoelectron microscopy. The hamster is an adequate model of experimental toxocariasis for short-term investigations and has a good immunological and pathological response to the infection. Lung and liver manifestations of toxocariasis in hamsters approximated those in humans and other experimental animal models. A mixed Th2 immunological response to T. canis infection was predominant. The hamster model displayed a progressive rise of anti-toxocaral antibodies with the formation of immune complexes. Circulating antigens, immunoglobulin, and complement deposits were detected in the kidney without the development of a definite immune complex nephropathy.

Toxocara (Nematoda: Ascaridida) and other soil-transmitted helminth eggs contaminating soils in selected urban and rural areas in the Philippines.

The extent of contamination of soils with soil transmitted helminthes (STH) eggs, particularly Toxocara, was determined in selected urban and rural towns of Laguna, Philippines. Soil samples were collected from public schools, house yards, and empty lots. Results revealed that, of the 1480 soil samples collected, 460 (31%) were positive for STH eggs. Toxocara sp. was the most prevalent (77%), followed by Ascaris sp. (11%), hookworms/strongyles/free-living nematodes (7%), and Trichuris sp. (5%). Some soil physicochemical parameters were also determined and associated with Toxocara eggs prevalence and density in soil. Results revealed that Toxocara sp. eggs were most prevalent in less acidic, relatively high temperature and high moisture soil conditions. They were also prevalent in sandy, silty, and loamy soil textures but less prevalent in clayey. No significant differences were found between depth 1 (0-5 cm) and depth 2 (6-10 cm). This study revealed that Toxocara sp. eggs are ubiquitous and the extent of contamination in soils from the selected towns of Laguna is relatively high. Hence, the data generated in this study can be used in promoting public awareness, particularly for pet owners and local health officials, for effective prevention and control of this parasitosis.

Presença de Toxocara spp. e ancilostomídeos em áreas de peridomicílios de uma comunidade pesqueira no Centro-Oeste do Brasil / Presence of Toxocara spp. and hookworms in peridomiciliary areas of a fishing community in the Mid-west region of Brazil

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a contaminação do solo de peridomicílios de uma comunidade pesqueira localizadano município de Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, onde é frequente a ocorrência de casos de Larva migrans cutânea.Utilizando-se das técnicas de centrifugo-flutuação, Baermann-Moraes e centrifugo- sedimentação, amostras de solo efezes de cães foram analisadas e os resultados evidenciaram altos índices de contaminação por ovos de Toxocara spp.,Ancilostomídeos e larvas de nematoides. Estes achados podem estar associados aos casos de Larvas migrans cutânea eàs elevadas taxas de eosinofilia em escolares daquela comunidade.

The aim of this study was to investigate soil contamination in peridomiciliary areas from a fishing community in themunicipality of Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, where is often found the occurrence of cases of cutaneous larvamigrans. Using the techniques of zinc sulphate centrifugal flotation, Baermann-Moraes and centrifugal sedimentation,soil samples and feces of dogs were analyzed and the results showed high levels of contamination by Toxocara spp.,hookworm and larvae of nematodes. These findings may be associated with cases of cutaneous larva migrans and highrates of eosinophilia in school children of that community.

Gastrointestinal parasites in goats from Monte Castelo, Santa Catarina, Brazil / Parasitas gastrintestinais em caprinos de Monte Castelo, Santa Catarina, Brasil

This study was carried out with the aim of estimating the degree of gastrointestinal helminth infection in goats on the Northern Plateau of Santa Catarina. Twelve young females and 11 adult females were used. Every 28 days, feces samples were taken to quantify the nematode eggs per gram of feces (EPG). Larval culturing was performed on a pool of positive samples from the same group. The fecal egg counts (FECs) ranged from zero to 10,400 EPG in the young group and zero to 7,600 EPG in the adult group. The mean FECs were between 583.3 and 4441.7 in the young group and between 418.2 and 2181.8 in the adult group. Eggs of the order Strongylida and genera Moniezia and Toxocara, and oocysts of Coccidia, were observed. The young animals were more affected and Haemonchus was the most prevalent genus in the samples.

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estimar o grau de infecção dos helmintos gastrintestinais em um rebanho caprino criado no Planalto Norte Catarinense. Foram utilizadas 12 fêmeas jovens e 11 adultas, das quais, a cada 28 dias, foram coletadas amostras de fezes diretamente do reto, totalizando 12 coletas, para quantificação de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) e cultivo de larvas através de "pool" das amostras positivas do mesmo grupo. A contagem de OPG variou de zero a 10.400 nos animais jovens e de zero a 7.600 nos adultos. As médias do OPG entre as coletas foram de 583,3 a 4.441,7 no grupo jovem e de 418,2 a 2.181,8 nos adultos, sendo observados ovos da ordem Strongylida, dos gêneros Moniezia e Toxocara, bem como oocistos de coccídeos. Os animais mais jovens foram os mais acometidos, sendo o gênero Haemonchus o mais prevalente.

Prevalencia de huevos de toxocara spp en plazas de la ciudad de Córdoba. Argentina / Prevalence of Toxocara spp eggs in squares of Córdoba. Argentina

Hace mucho tiempo que se sabe que las infecciones parasitarias se encuentran entre las más comunes del hombre a nivel mundial, sin embargo fue en la última década cuando se reconocieron como un importante problema de salud pública. La Argentina no escapa a esta situación con un perfil epidemiológico que representa un doble desafío, enfrentar la carga creciente de enfermedades no transmisibles y la persistencia aún de situaciones donde las enfermedades transmisibles siguen siendo importantes problemas sanitarios.Las especies involucradas son Toxocara canis, parásito del perro, Toxocara cati, de felinos y Toxocara vitulorum, de bovinos. Dentro de estos parásitos nematodos, los de mayor importancia epidemiológica son Toxocara canis y Toxocara cati, por ser causantes en el hombre de toxocariasis. Las expresiones clínicas principales de esta infección en el hombre se conocen como larva migrante visceral (LMV) y larva migrante ocular (LMO), siendo el primero más frecuente. Se estudió la prevalencia de huevos de Toxocara Spp, en plazas de la ciudad de Córdoba. Las muestras fueron georeferenciadas y se encontraron huevos de Toxocara spp que oscilan entre un 15 y 40 %; siendo mayor la prevalencia en plazas de la zona sur; siendo la misma una de las socialmente carenciadas y con mayor población de cánidos. El nivel de contaminación seria una consecuencia de la numerosa población canina y la falta de medidas oficiales higiénico-sanitarias que controlen la presencia de heces caninas en los espacios públicos. Entre los factores que favorecen la presencia de huevos de geohelmintos en los suelos se han señalado a las condiciones climáticas que faciliten el mantenimiento de su viabilidad, a las características urbanas de las ciudades y al comportamiento social de sus pobladores

SUMMARY: Long ago that we know that parasitic infections are among the most common man globally, however was in the last decade when they recognized as a major public health problem.La Argentina is no exception to this situation with an epidemiological profile that represents a dual challenge, confront the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the persistence even in situations where communicable diseases remain important health problems. The species involved are Toxocara canis parasite of the dog, Toxocara cati, of felines and Toxocara vitulorum, of bovine animals. Within these parasitic nematodes, greatest epidemiological importance are Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, to cause the man of toxocariasis. The main clinical expressions of this infection in man are known as migrant visceral larva (LMV) and eyepiece migrant larva (LMO), being the first more common. We studied the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs, in squares in the city of Córdoba. Samples were geo-referenced and found eggs of Toxocara spp. ranging between 15 and 40%; still higher prevalence in squares of the South; still the same one of the socially disadvantaged with largest population of Canids. The level of contamination would be a consequence of the large canine population and lack of hygienic-sanitary official measures that control the presence of canine feces in public spaces. Among the factors that favor the presence of eggs of geohelminths in soils have pointed out to the climatic conditions that will facilitate the maintenance of its viability, the urban characteristics of the cities and social behaviour of its inhabitants

Prevalencia de huevos de toxocara spp en plazas de la ciudad de Córdoba. Argentina / Prevalence of Toxocara spp eggs in squares of Córdoba. Argentina

Hace mucho tiempo que se sabe que las infecciones parasitarias se encuentran entre las más comunes del hombre a nivel mundial, sin embargo fue en la última década cuando se reconocieron como un importante problema de salud pública. La Argentina no escapa a esta situación con un perfil epidemiológico que representa un doble desafío, enfrentar la carga creciente de enfermedades no transmisibles y la persistencia aún de situaciones donde las enfermedades transmisibles siguen siendo importantes problemas sanitarios.Las especies involucradas son Toxocara canis, parásito del perro, Toxocara cati, de felinos y Toxocara vitulorum, de bovinos. Dentro de estos parásitos nematodos, los de mayor importancia epidemiológica son Toxocara canis y Toxocara cati, por ser causantes en el hombre de toxocariasis. Las expresiones clínicas principales de esta infección en el hombre se conocen como larva migrante visceral (LMV) y larva migrante ocular (LMO), siendo el primero más frecuente. Se estudió la prevalencia de huevos de Toxocara Spp, en plazas de la ciudad de Córdoba. Las muestras fueron georeferenciadas y se encontraron huevos de Toxocara spp que oscilan entre un 15 y 40 %; siendo mayor la prevalencia en plazas de la zona sur; siendo la misma una de las socialmente carenciadas y con mayor población de cánidos. El nivel de contaminación seria una consecuencia de la numerosa población canina y la falta de medidas oficiales higiénico-sanitarias que controlen la presencia de heces caninas en los espacios públicos. Entre los factores que favorecen la presencia de huevos de geohelmintos en los suelos se han señalado a las condiciones climáticas que faciliten el mantenimiento de su viabilidad, a las características urbanas de las ciudades y al comportamiento social de sus pobladores(AU)

SUMMARY: Long ago that we know that parasitic infections are among the most common man globally, however was in the last decade when they recognized as a major public health problem.La Argentina is no exception to this situation with an epidemiological profile that represents a dual challenge, confront the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the persistence even in situations where communicable diseases remain important health problems. The species involved are Toxocara canis parasite of the dog, Toxocara cati, of felines and Toxocara vitulorum, of bovine animals. Within these parasitic nematodes, greatest epidemiological importance are Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, to cause the man of toxocariasis. The main clinical expressions of this infection in man are known as migrant visceral larva (LMV) and eyepiece migrant larva (LMO), being the first more common. We studied the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs, in squares in the city of Córdoba. Samples were geo-referenced and found eggs of Toxocara spp. ranging between 15 and 40%; still higher prevalence in squares of the South; still the same one of the socially disadvantaged with largest population of Canids. The level of contamination would be a consequence of the large canine population and lack of hygienic-sanitary official measures that control the presence of canine feces in public spaces. Among the factors that favor the presence of eggs of geohelminths in soils have pointed out to the climatic conditions that will facilitate the maintenance of its viability, the urban characteristics of the cities and social behaviour of its inhabitants(AU)

Comparação entre métodos de centrífugo-flutuação utilizados para a recuperação de ovos de helmintos em amostras de areia / A comparative study between commonly used laboratory flotation methods for recovering helminth eggs from sand samples

A deposição de fezes de animais no ambiente constitui um problema de saúde pública que deve ser avaliado e controlado. Neste contexto, os geohelmintos desempenham um papel patogênico importante tanto no ser humano quanto nos animais. Este estudo objetivou comparar a eficiência detrês métodos de centrífugo-flutuação utilizados na rotina de laboratório para a recuperação de ovos de helmintos do solo em 50 amostras coletadas aleatoriamente em areias próximas ao estuário Guaíba, zona sul do município de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. As amostras de areia foram submetidas aosmétodos de Faust et al. modificado, Kazacos modificado e Ruiz et al.. Os resultados foram expressos em número e/ou percentual de amostras positivas e de recuperação de ovos entre os métodos utilizados. Do total de amostras analisadas, 7/50 (14por cento) foram positivas para ovos de Toxocara spp. e1/50 (2por cento) apresentou também ovos de ancilostomídeos. Dentre os métodos utilizados, o de Kazacosrecuperou ovos de helmintos em quatro das sete amostras positivas. As taxas de recuperação pelos demais métodos foram as seguintes: Ruiz et al. (3/7) e Faust et al. (2/7), utilizando-se amostras de 6g, e (1/7) com amostras de 30g. Os dados do presente estudo não mostraram diferenças entre osmétodos utilizados para a recuperação de ovos de helmintos do ambiente.

Toxocara cati infections in stray cats in northern Iran.

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to study the prevalence and intensity of infection with Toxocara cati in 100 stray cats, from April to October 2004 in urban areas of Sari, northern Iran. A total of 44 cats (44%) were found to be infected with T. cati. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of infection relative to host age and weight (P = 0.000). There was also a significant difference in the intensity of infection relative to body weight and urban sites (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between the prevalence of infection relative to host gender, urban sites and season (P>0.05), nor in the intensity of infection between host gender, age and season (P>0.05). The intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 32 worms per cat, with a mean of 7.30 +/- 6.82.

Prevalence of helminth ova in soil samples from public places in Shiraz.

To determine the prevalence of helminth eggs in public places and children's playgrounds, 112 soil samples were collected in 26 sites in Shiraz, southern Islamic Republic of Iran, during September 2002-September 2003. Toxocara cati ova were found in 7 (6.3%) samples, 2 had Ascaris lumbricoides ova, 3 had larvae morphologically similar to Strongyloides stercoralis. Coccidia oocysts were also observed in 4 samples. No contamination was observed during the dry season.

Inibição da migração larval em tecidos de camundongos imunizados com antígenos de / Toxocara vitulorum / Larval migration inhibition in tissues of mice immunized with Toxocara vitulorum antigens

Três grupos de camundongos foram imunizados com os seguintes antígenos de Toxocara vitulorum: fluido perientérico (pe) do parasita adulto, antígenos extrato solúvel bruto (Ex) e excretor/ secretor (ES) de larvas infectantes. Estes três grupos foram comparados com o grupo controle, não imunizado. Todos os grupos foram desafiados uma semana após a imunização com ovos infectantes deste parasita e necropsiados em três períodos diferentes após o desafio: sete horas, quatro dias e 30 dias pós-infecção. Realizou-se a contagem de ovos e de larvas nas fezes dos camundongos e o grupo imunizado com antígeno do fluído perientérico (Pe) foi o que eliminou a maior quantidade de larvas. Após a necropsia, realizou-se a retirada do intestino delgado, intestino grosso, fígado, pulmão, coração, cérebro e músculos (diafragma, língua e quadríceps femoral). Estes tecidos sofrearam digestão péptica e as larvas foram identificadas e contadas em cada um deles. O maior número de larvas foi encontrado no intestino grosso no período de sete horas após o desafio, em todos os grupos examinados, porém, este número foi significativamente inferior nos grupos imunizados. Com quatro dias após o desafio, as larvas concentravam-se, preferencialmente, no fígado e pulmões, e os grupos imunizados apresentaram uma quantidade muito menor de larvas, significativo para o fígado e pulmão em relação ao grupo controle. No período de 30 dias após o desafio, as larvas recuperadas no cérebro e no músculo, mesmo que em pequena quantidade, demonstraram capacidade de alcançar estes tecidos. A efetividade destaimunização baseou-se na redução do número de larvas de T. vitulorum no fígado no quarto dia pós-infecção em relação ao controle, que foi de 86%, 79% e 58% para o antígeno Ex, Pe e ES, respectivamente. O camundongo foi considerado um modelo apropriado para estudar a relação parasita-hospedeiro das infecções por T. vitulorum.

Huevos infectivos de toxocara, en arenas de plazas y parques de Asunción, Paraguay / Toxocara ova in the sand of squares and parks of Asunción, Paraguay

Los vermes del género Toxocarapertenecen a la familia Ascaridae, siendo los agentes patógenos más importantes para el hompe T. canis y T. cati, productores de larva migrante visceral (LMV). Las larvas de Toxocara fueron identificadas por primera vez por Beaver, en 1952, en una biopsia de hígado de un niño de 2 años, acompañado por hepatomegalia y eosinofilia. El cuadro de LMV ocurre principalmente en niños de 1 a 5 años, con una historia de consumo de suelos (geofagia), contaminados con heces de caninos o felinos infectados. Los hallazgos clínicos pueden incluir marcada eosinofilia, hepatomegalia, neumonitis transitoria e hipergammaglubulinemia. Con el objeto de analizar la presencia de los huevos de estos helmintos en las plazas de la ciudad de Asunción, se tomaron muestras de suelo que contenían arena, en las cercanías de los juegos infantiles. Se sortearon aleatoriamente 51 plazas y parques, de un total de las 98 registrados en la Municipalidad de Asunción. Se halló la superficie de la zona que poseía arena, de las plazas sorteadas y se tomaron 2 muestras de 30 x 30 cm de superficie por 0,5 cm de profundidad, por cada 15 m2. Para el efecto fueron utilizados espátulas y frascos, previamente esterilizados. Se llenaron con agua los frascos y se agitaron fuertemente para obtener una buena emulsión, se filtraron las muestras y se procesaron por el método de flotación con sulfato de zinc al 33 por ciento. De los 51 sitios analizados, se encontraron huevos de Toxocara en 27 de ellos (53 por ciento). Entre los parques más concurridos que presentaron huevos de Toxocara fueron el Parque Caballero y el de Ñu guazú. La elevada prevalencia de huevos de Toxocara, encontrados en los suelos de plazas y parques públicos, indica el elevado riesgo para la salud de las personas, ya que los mismos son utilizados como áreas de recreación, especialmente por los niños, siendo ellos los que tienen más contacto con las arenas en las zonas de juego.

A novel method for the recovery of Toxocara canis in mice.

Acid-isolating and acid digestion techniques were used to recover the larvae of T. canis from the tissues of mice and the acid-isolating technique in particular proved to be an effective method.