Abstract
Background and aims: Toxocariasis caused by the larvae of Toxocara spp. is a zoonotic infection with global distribution that is considered an important health problem in the humans. The soil is regarded as the main source of the transmission of Toxocara infection to susceptible hosts. This study investigated the existence of Toxocara spp. ova in rural and urban public areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Methods: A total of 180 soil samples were randomly collected from 74 public places from urban and rural areas of nine counties of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province during May to September, 2017. The samples were examined for Toxocara spp. eggs by the modified sucrose flotation method. Results: The contamination rate of the soil samples with Toxocara spp. ova varied within 0%-18.1% in different counties. Overall, 9 (5%) out of 180 examined soil samples were found positive for Toxocara spp. ova. Of nine investigated districts, Toxocara spp. ova were observed in four counties and the highest rate of soil contamination was found in Farsan county with 18.1%. Finally, the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs was more in the rural areas (6.7%) compared to the urban ones (3.3%). Conclusion: This study was the first investigation regarding the contamination of Toxocara spp. eggs in the soil of public places in rural and urban areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. According to the results, the rate of soil contamination in this region was lower compared with the other parts of Iran. Therefore, a further study is required to determine factors that may be involved in the distribution of Toxocara spp. in different areas of this province.
Highlights
Toxocariasis is a widespread serious zoonotic helminth disease caused by the larvae of the parasitic ascarid nematodes of the genus Toxocara of domestic and wild carnivorous in both developed and developing countries worldwide
Out of 180 examined soil samples for Toxocara species eggs, 9 (5%, 95% CI: 2.2-8.9) cases were found positive for Toxocara spp. eggs (Figure 1)
The prevalence of Toxocara spp. egg in the rural areas (6.7%, six samples) was more than that of the urban areas (3.3%, three samples; 95% CI: -0.099–0.030), the details of which are shown in Table 1 and Figure 2
Summary
Toxocariasis is a widespread serious zoonotic helminth disease caused by the larvae of the parasitic ascarid nematodes of the genus Toxocara of domestic and wild carnivorous in both developed and developing countries worldwide. The soil functions as the main source of the transmission of Toxocara infection and can cause significant health problems for the humans.[10,11] Based on different reports, the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in the soil of various countries and regions varies from 2% to 88% based on the sanitary behaviours of residents and pet owners, the type and number of dogs and cats, the access of stray animals to public places, climatic conditions (e.g., temperature and humidity), geographical situations, the sample size, and the techniques and methods for the egg detection in the soil.[12] it was estimated that a fifth of public areas in the world are contaminated with Toxocara eggs.[13] The increasing population of dogs and cats infected with the parasites in public areas such as public parks and their easy access to this area has caused a growing prevalence rate of the infection among the children. With regard to the importance of this zoonotic disease, this cross-sectional study was the first one, to the best of our knowledge, to evaluate the prevalence of the contamination of Toxocara eggs in the soil of the public parks and gardens across the entire urban and rural areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
