Abstract
Background: Toxocariasis is one of the most commonly reported zoonotic helminth infections in the world which is caused by the parasitic roundworms of dogs or cats. This survey aimed to provide data on the contamination of the soil of public parks by Toxocara spp. eggs in Hamedan city, capital of Hamedan Province in the west of Iran. Methods: During April and May 2019, a total of 120 soil samples were collected from 20 public parks (4 to 10 soil samples from each park) from all geographical areas of the city. For detection of eggs, soil samples were dried overnight at room temperature and passed through a 150 μm mesh sieve. After performing Sheather’s flotation technique using 2 g of powdery soil, light microscopic examinations were carried out. Results: Microscopic evaluation of specimens revealed that 14 samples out of 120 (11.67%) collected from 10 public parks out of 20 in Hamedan (50.0%) were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. Various developmental stages of Toxocara spp. eggs including (1) non-developed, (2) 2-cell to tadpole stage, and (3) larvated eggs were observed. Furthermore, in two public parks, Trichuris spp. eggs were found in the soils. Conclusions: This study provides the first information about the contamination of public areas in Hamedan 0rovince and suggests that public awareness about this fact is needed. Education of citizens especially parents with children, who have commonly mouthing behavior, is recommended. Further molecular-based studies for the identification of parasite species in the province are suggested. All of the published literature about contamination of the soils of public areas in Iran with Toxocara eggs until July 2020 were also reviewed.
Highlights
Toxocariasis is one of the most commonly reported zoonotic helminth infections in the world which is caused by the parasitic roundworms of dogs or cats
Upon ingestion of embryonated eggs, the larvae are released from the eggs in the small intestine, penetrate the intestinal wall, and migrate to liver, lungs, and other organ systems causing visceral larva migrans (VLM), ocular larva migrans (OLM), neurotoxocariasis (NT), and covert or common toxocariasis (CT) [3]
In Iran, a recent meta-analysis article reported that 16% of soil samples from public areas are contaminated with the eggs of Toxocara spp
Summary
Toxocariasis is one of the most commonly reported zoonotic helminth infections in the world which is caused by the parasitic roundworms of dogs or cats This survey aimed to provide data on the contamination of the soil of public parks by Toxocara spp. eggs in Hamedan city, capital of Hamedan Province in the west of Iran. Considering (i) notable prevalence of toxocariasis is in both stray and owned dogs [11, 12] and cats (first author’s personal experience), (ii) presence of antibodies against T. canis in blood sera of 8.8% of children in the urban and rural areas of Hamedan [13], and (iii) the public health importance of contamination of parks with Toxocara spp. eggs, this study aimed to examine soil samples from different public parks of the city for the presence of Toxocara eggs
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