Toxocariasis in Colombia: More Than Neglected

Abstract

In this review, we summarized information regarding human toxocariasis knowledge of disease and relevance in Colombia. Current knowledge on the epidemiology and global burden of this infection is scarce. In part, because it remains a largely underdiagnosed clinical entity, and also since many countries do not officially recognize it as endemic, this has led to a lack of surveillance and underreporting, not considering it an officially notifiable disease. Recent reports have shown broad variability of seroprevalence rates amongst different countries. Human toxocariasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease that would represent high morbidity in many countries. Caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, clinical spectrum of this systemic helminthiasis can be extended from asymptomatic forms up to life-threating syndromes such as the visceral larva migrans.