Clinic and diagnosis of toxocariasis in children

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a zoonotic invasion with a long relapsing course (from several months to several years) and polymorphic clinical manifestations of an immunological nature. The causative agents of toxocariasis belong to the class of roundworms of the genus Toxocara. Two species of this genus are known: T. canis is a helminth of the canine family and T.cati is a helminth of the cat family. The role of T. canis in human pathology has been firmly established, and T. cati is still under discussion. These nematodes are widespread in cats and dogs. Affected animals excrete a huge number of eggs with feces, causing a high contamination of the soil. Up to 50% of samples from children's sandboxes contain invasive toxocara eggs, which are very resistant and persist in the soil for several years. Children under 5 years of age are most commonly infected. The main source of infestation for children are dogs, especially puppies. Infection occurs through direct contact with an infested animal whose coat is infected with infective eggs. Children with geophagy are most at risk of infection, especially when playing in the sand or with a dog.