Toxocara Infection Research Articles

Seroepidemiological Evaluation of Toxocariasis in Egyptian Children Suffering from Recurrent Urticaria

Background: human toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic helminthiases reported all over the world. Large spectrum of clinical diseases due to toxocariasis including cutaneous diseases particularly urticaria has been identified by recent diagnostic laboratory tests. Objective: it was to evaluate the Toxocara seroprevalence in children diagnosed with chronic urticaria (CU) and to identify its possible relationship with epidemiological, laboratory and clinical aspects, through a case–control study presented at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Al-Azhar University Hospital in New Damietta City. Patients and Methods: seventy children diagnosed with CU and seventy healthy controls were included in the study. Sociodemographic risk factors for toxocariasis were analyzed based on a questionnaire collected from the children’s parents or guardians, then all of the children were subjected to thorough clinical examination, stool examination to exclude other parasites and blood samples were collected and tested for eosinophilic count by CBC as well as estimation of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies by means of western blot (WB) test. Results: Toxocara IgG was positive in 18.5% (n=13). It was significantly higher than among the cross-matched 70 healthy controls (4.2%). This study confirmed the possibility of significant association between the seroprevalence of Toxocara and possible socioepidemiological factors as contact with pets or soil, geophagia as well as state of house. Regarding clinical manifestations and laboratory investigations, bronchial asthma, rhinitis and conjunctivitis were found to be significantly associated with Toxocara seroprevalence. Conclusion: Toxocara infection should be considered as an important cause of recurrent urticaria among children population in developing countries.

Seroepidemiological Evaluation of Toxocariasis in Egyptian Children Suffering from Recurrent Urticaria

Background: human toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic helminthiases reported all over the world. Large spectrum of clinical diseases due to toxocariasis including cutaneous diseases particularly urticaria has been identified by recent diagnostic laboratory tests. Objective: it was to evaluate the Toxocara seroprevalence in children diagnosed with chronic urticaria (CU) and to identify its possible relationship with epidemiological, laboratory and clinical aspects, through a case–control study presented at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of Al-Azhar University Hospital in New Damietta City. Patients and Methods: seventy children diagnosed with CU and seventy healthy controls were included in the study. Sociodemographic risk factors for toxocariasis were analyzed based on a questionnaire collected from the children’s parents or guardians, then all of the children were subjected to thorough clinical examination, stool examination to exclude other parasites and blood samples were collected and tested for eosinophilic count by CBC as well as estimation of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies by means of western blot (WB) test. Results: Toxocara IgG was positive in 18.5% (n=13). It was significantly higher than among the cross-matched 70 healthy controls (4.2%). This study confirmed the possibility of significant association between the seroprevalence of Toxocara and possible socioepidemiological factors as contact with pets or soil, geophagia as well as state of house. Regarding clinical manifestations and laboratory investigations, bronchial asthma, rhinitis and conjunctivitis were found to be significantly associated with Toxocara seroprevalence. Conclusion: Toxocara infection should be considered as an important cause of recurrent urticaria among children population in developing countries.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of Toxocara infection in dogs in northern and southern Egypt.

Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution caused by the parasitic roundworms, Toxocara canis, commonly found in the intestine of dogs. Identification of frequent shedders for Toxocara canis eggs and the associated risk factors overwhelmingly remain an important cornerstone of conducting evidence-based deworming regimens to reduce the environmental contamination with the parasite eggs. The present study was undertaken to prevalence rate of shedding of Toxocara canis eggs in dogs in Egypt combined with the possible risk factors naturally associated with the infection A total number of 296 fecal samples of dogs were collected in the period from July 2016 to June 2017 and properly screened for the presence of possible infection with an. Importantly, The overall prevalence of Toxocara canis eggs was 53.04% whereas, seasonal dynamics, dog breeds, the irregular anthelmintic use, defecation sites, and unconfined management of dogs were among the risk factors with a significant association with Toxocara canis infection. Taken together, our present data reveal the high overall prevalence of Toxocara canis eggs shedding in in several Egyptian provinces and provide novel information that should pay our attention of the local authorities combined with the public engagement towards implementation of effective control strategies against this disease of zoonotic importance.

Seroepidemiology of Toxocara canis in Children under 14 Years Referring to Laboratories of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in Southeast of Iran

The aim of the present survey was to assess thr seroepidemiologic and parasitological aspects of Toxocara canis infection in children under 14 yr old. Overall, 963 sera were collected from children in the Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Southeast of Iran during the period from Sep 2015 to Jun 2016. IgG antibody against T. canis in the subjects' sera was evaluated using the commercial ELISA kit. Anti-Toxocara IgG were detected in the serum of 17 (1.7%) of the participants. In the examined children, the highest presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies was 2.1% (9/418) in 6-10-yr olds, which was higher than other age groups (P<0.05). Anti-Toxocara antibodies were significantly higher in males (2.4% or 12/492) than in females (1.1% or 5/471) (P<0.03). Highest serological prevalence of T. canis occurred in tribes (5.5% or 4/69), followed by rural areas (0.9% or 7/757), while in the urban area it was 0.1% (6/163) (P<0.01). A significant association was seen between the serological prevalence of T. canis and laboratory findings such as eosinophilia (P=0.001) and red blood cell count (P=0.02). Seroprevalence of Toxocara infection is high among children living in the poor regions of southeast Iran.

Toxocara Infection in Asthmatic Children: A Case-Control Study in Karaj District, Iran

Background: It has been proposed that the migration of Toxocara canis larvae through the lungs is a contributing factor in the development of asthma and association of asthma and toxocariasis has been reported. The seroprevalence of toxocariasis varies widely among children living in different countries and even in different regions of a single country. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in asthmatic and healthy children in Karaj, Iran. Methods: A serological study was conducted in children aged 1 to 15 years old for detection of antibodies to Toxocara canis in two groups (92 asthmatic children and 100 non-asthmatic children as control group), using commercial ELISA method for determination of IgG antibodies against Toxocara. Results: Only one patient (1.09%) had positive levels of anti-Toxocara antibodies in the case group, while no one had them in the control group. The results showed that there was no significant correlation between IgG antibodies against Toxocara canis and asthma. More than 90% of children in both case and control groups were residents of urban areas. Conclusions: We did not find any association between Toxocara infection and childhood asthma, suggesting that it may not be a common risk factor for childhood asthma in our urban area.

Prevalence of toxocariasis and its related risk factors in humans, dogs and cats in northeastern Iran: a population-based study.

Toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic infections in dogs and cats. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies and identify the epidemiological and clinical features and related risk factors of toxocariasis in the general population along with the prevalence of this infection in dogs and cats in northeast Iran. In this cross-sectional study, anti-Toxocara antibodies from 1150 urban and rural participants were examined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the stool specimens of 538 dogs and 236 cats were tested using the formalin-ether concentration technique. Sociodemographic data and related risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire and the data on clinical manifestations were obtained from personal health records. Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 7.2% (83/1150) of the study population. Risk factors for seropositivity based on multivariable analysis were younger age (p=0.019), living in rural areas (p=0.048), occupations with high exposure risk to toxocariasis (p=0.001), contact with dogs or cats (p=0.003), contact with soil (p=0.001), history of geophagy (p=0.001) and the consumption of raw or undercooked liver (p=0.001). The prevalence of symptoms such as asthma, shortness of breath, blurred vision, abdominal pain and epilepsy were significantly higher in seropositive individuals compared with seronegative ones. Toxocara eggs were found in 15.1% (81/538) of dogs and 34.7% (82/236) of cats. A significant relationship was found between infection in dogs and cats and age, type, place of residence and anthelmintic consumption. Identification of anti-Toxocara antibodies in the general population and the presence of confirmed infections in dogs and cats indicates exposure to Toxocara infection as a public health problem in northeast Iran.

Human toxocariasis seroprevalence among patients with uveitis in Alborz Province, Iran.

Toxocariasis, predominantly caused by Toxocara canis, is a common zoonotic parasitosis worldwide. Toxocara infection is a cause of vision impairment and blindness. The presented study investigates the frequency of antibodies against Toxocara among uveitis patients and the epidemiological factors associated with disease. Fifty-four patients with uveitis and 59 healthy subjects were studied. Anti-Toxocara antibodies status was determined in all serum samples using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and seropositive samples analyzed by Western blot (WB) technique. The frequency of Toxocara canis infection was found to be significantly higher in uveitis patients, compared to healthy controls by the use of ELISA test, being 14.8% and 1.7%, respectively. From 8 seropositive samples, 5 (62.5%) patients exhibited Toxocara immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in response to Western blot, whereas in the control group, none were detected positive by Western blot. No significant difference was found between pet owners, nor between different places of residence. The seroprevalence to Toxocara among uveitis patients was significantly related to gender, age and medical diagnosis. The highest prevalence was found in patients with posterior uveitis (27.8%). Anti-Toxocara antibody titers are associated with the risk of vision impairment -uveitis. The risk factor associated with Toxocara exposure identified in this study warrants further investigation.

Toxocara Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors Among Ilam Children, West of Iran

Background: Human toxocariasis is caused by Toxocara canis and cati, which are the main ascarids of dogs and cats, respectively. Most infected humans are asymptomatic and our understanding of human disease burden is limited by lack of epidemiological studies and insufficient clinical awareness. Objectives: There is no precise report on the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in Ilam children. Therefore, this study found an opportunity to investigate this subject. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 sera of children aged between 2 to 15 years old were collected during March 2016 to February 2017 in urban and rural areas. Demographic variables were filled for each person in accordance with risk factors along with sampling. Some hematological parameters were measured. The sera were examined for anti Toxocara canis and cati antibodies, according to the ELISA kit protocol. Results: Among a total of 300 serum samples, 35 (11.7) were positive for anti-Toxocara IgG. The infection rates were 5.3 and 6.3 in female and male, respectively. There was no significant relationship between gender and Toxocara infection rates (P = 0.59). A total of 26 (17.3) of the 150 rural children, and nine (6.0) of the 150 urban children were positive. There was a significant relationship between place of living with ELISA tests results (P = 0.004). Hematologic parameters showed a significant increase in the numbers of peripheral eosinophil in the sample of patients whose sera were positive (P = 0.037). Conclusions: High prevalence of toxocariasisamongIlam children in the west of Iran can be considered as a public health problem. The evaluating infection control programs in dog and cats are necessary for controlling the disease in this region. © 2018, Author(s).

Seroepidemiology, modifiable risk factors and clinical symptoms of Toxocara spp. infection in northern Iran.

Toxocariasis is one of the most important and widespread neglected tropical infectious diseases. We designed a cross-sectional study to assess the seroepidemiological aspects of toxocariasis among the general population in northern Iran. A total of 630 rural subjects were enrolled to participate in the study. The presence of anti-Toxocara immunoglobulin G (IgG) was tested using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A structured questionnaire was also used to evaluate the potential risk factors and related clinical signs/symptoms. The presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies was detected in 148 of the 630 rural subjects (23.5% [95% confidence interval {CI} 21.8 to 25.1]). By multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 2.89 [95% CI 1 to -8.3], p=0.04), eating improperly washed vegetables (OR 4.05 [95% CI 2.47 to 6.64], p<0.001), contact with dogs (OR 3.31 [95% CI 2.13 to 5.12], p<0.001) and exposure to soil (OR 3.56 [95% CI 2.13 to 5.13], p<0.001) were significantly associated with the seroprevalence of Toxocara. The clinical study also demonstrated that the seroprevalence of Toxocara infection was significantly associated with asthma (OR 3.78 [95% CI 1.63 to 8.75], p<0.001) and ophthalmic disorder (OR 1.83 [95% CI 1.04 to 3.21], p=0.034). The findings proved that residents of rural communities in tropical regions may be heavily exposed to Toxocara spp. We highly recommend more investigations in high-risk groups.

Распространение токсокарозной инвазии у домашних cобак и кошек в городских условиях

Распространение токсокарозной инвазии у домашних cобак и кошек в городских условиях

Dog walking brings Toxocara eggs to people's homes

To find out the transmission routes for Toxocara infection, the possibility of transfer of Toxocara eggs from the soil on the paws of animals and on the shoes of people was explored. For this purpose, a study was conducted to find helminth eggs in washings from the paws of dogs after walking, from the shoes of their owners, as well as non-dog owners. Toxocara eggs were detected in 19.4% of the dogs’ paws washings and in 11.4% of washings from the shoes of their owners. The number of eggs found on the paws was about twice as high as on the shoes. The mean number of eggs in the sample was 2.9 in washings from the paws and 1.8 from the shoes. In the samples, Toxocara cati eggs prevailed both in occurrence and in abundance. Out of the total number of positive samples, the eggs of T. cati were found in 83%, and T. canis in 42%. 79% of the found eggs belonged to T. cati and 21% to T. canis. In the washings from shoes of people that do not own dogs, the eggs of parasites were not found. This study demonstrates that the helminth eggs can be transferred from contaminated soil to people’s homes on the paws and shoe soles. Even animals without a patent infection may take part in propagation of infection causing risks of human toxocariasis. In dogs, in addition, the transferred on paws T. canis eggs can serve as a causative agent of permanent, cumulative subclinical infection with a deferred manifestation in posterity. It is supposed that infestation “through the paws” is one of the probable routes of transmission of toxocariasis in dogs.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxocara infection among children in a rural community in Fars province, southern Iran.

The current study was performed to find out the seroprevalence of Toxocara infection in children living in a rural community in Fars province, southern Iran. Venous blood was taken from 617 children and evaluated for anti-Toxocara antibodies, using an ELISA system. Of the 617 studied children, 318 (51.5%) were boys and 299 (48.5%) were girls. Mean age of the participants was 9.2 (±10.7) years. Most cases of the recruited subjects (37.4%) were in the age group of 0-5years. Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in sera of 39 (6.3%) of children. From these, 23 (62.2%) were boys and 14 (37.8%) were girls. The infection rate was almost the same in different age groups. No statistically significant differences were seen between seropositivity to Toxocara infection and gender or age of the participants. Dogs or cats ownership was not associated with Toxocara seropositivity. The adjusted associations of the study variables suggested that the visceral leishmaniasis (VL) seropositivity is significantly associated with the seroprevalence of Toxocara infection (P<0.001). Findings of the current study revealed that Toxocara infection is a common infection among children in the studied rural community in Iran. Preventive measurements are necessary to minimize the rate of Toxocara infection in children in such communities.

The relationship between Toxocara species seropositivity and allergic skin disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on observational studies to evaluate the possible associations between Toxocara species seropositivity and allergic skin disorders (ASDs). We searched the MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases to 15 May 2018 to identify the relevant studies. We used a random effects meta-analysis model to generate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Fifteen studies, including eight studies with a case-control design (735 patients and 1342 controls) and seven studies with a cross-sectional design (a total of 4804 participants, 1302 individuals with ASDs and 3502 without ASDs), were included in the meta-analysis. We found an increased risk for ASDs in individuals with Toxocara seropositivity (OR 1.75 [95% CI 1.16 to 2.64]). Subanalysis showed that Toxocara seropositivity was significantly associated with urticaria (OR 2.97 [95% CI 1.53 to 5.76]), however, it was not significantly associated with atopy (OR 1.08 [95% CI 0.55 to 2.15]) and eczema (OR 1.62 [95% CI 0.95 to 2.78]). Moreover, the pooled ORs were 2.34 (95% CI 1.32 to 4.15) and 1.27 (95% CI 0.69 to 2.35) for case-control and cross-sectional studies, respectively. The results of our study support hypotheses regarding the existence of a positive relationship between Toxocara infection and allergic disorders, although this association should be further investigated by longitudinal and mechanism studies.

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Patients with Toxocariasis Encountered at a Tertiary Care Centre in North India

Toxocariasis is a neglected soil-transmitted helminthic infection caused by either Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati where humans get infected by accidental ingestion of embryonated eggs, and the definitive hosts are dogs and cats. This study aims to analyse the clinical and laboratory characteristics of Toxocara-infected patients and assessment of response to standard treatment with review of literature. The clinical details of patients with Toxocara serology positive for IgG antibodies by ELISA in 5 years (2013–2017) were retrospectively analysed. A total of 29 patients with clinical features and serology suggestive of Toxocara infection were evaluated. A complete history of 14 patients was available for the analysis. Majority (13/14; 96.5%) of cases were children <15 years, males (79%) and belonged to lower socioeconomic status (64.3%). The most common clinical presentation was fever (78.5%) with respiratory symptoms (57%) followed by gastrointestinal features (35.7%). All the patients had eosinophilia (range 8.3%–85%) and raised total IgE levels. Toxocariasis is more common in children, and the true prevalence may be underestimated. In endemic areas, Toxocara workup should be considered in patients with eosinophilia presenting with respiratory and gastrointestinal features.

Seroprevalence of Toxocara infection among healthy individuals referred to the medical center laboratories in Tehran City, Capital of Iran

Background: Toxocarosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. Humans’ infection occurred by incidental ingestion of eggs shed in feces of dogs or cats. Studies on general population are rare in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated seroprevalence, and risk factors associated with toxocariasis among the healthy individuals in Tehran, capital if Iran. M aterials and Methods: In total, 374 sera samples were investigated for the presence of anti-Toxocara IgG. We applied ELISA as screening test using available commercial kit. In addition, demographic data were obtained from participant’s questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16 . R es ults: The overall seroprevalence of toxocariasis was found 5.6% (21/374). Regarding the socio-demographic variables, age (P<0.001) and eating unwashed vegetables (P=0.049) were significantly associated to toxocariasis in univariate analysis. In the logistic regression analysis, only age (P<0.001) was identified as potential risk factor associated with Toxocara infection. C onclusion: This study revealed that seroprevalence of toxocariasis is relatively low in the healthy individuals in Tehran. We suggest carrying out further studies in the different part of Iran and investigate on the prevalence of toxocariasis in high-risk groups such as asthma, hyper-eosinophilic, epilepsy, rheumatism and schizophrenia patients.

First Report of Toxocara canis Seroprevalence in Military Personnel and Their Families with Eosinophilia Referred to a Military Hospital in Tehran, Iran, 2015 - 2016

Background: Humans may be accidently infected by larva stage of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati nematodes through consumption of contaminated vegetables and food by embryonated eggs and geophagia. They cause visceral, ocular, and neurological syndromes detected through serological methods. Parasitic contamination and infectious diseases are the main cause of eosinophilia. Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating Toxocara canis seroprevalence in military personnel and their families with eosinophilia referred to a military hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 2015 to 2016. Methods: In the current cross sectional study, 179 patients (military personnel and their families) referred to a military hospital with eosinophilia > 5% in a two-year period (2015 - 2016) were selected and after obtaining informed consent and filling out the questionnaires, anti-Toxocara canis IgG was detected in their sera using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis infection was 11.7%. Males were the most infected individuals. After statistical analysis, a significant relationship between the level of education (P = 0.01) and history of pet contact (P = 0.02), and anti-T. canis IgG was found; nevertheless, it had no relationship with age, gender, occupation, and place of residence (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Prevalence of Toxocara antibody was relatively high, which can indicate susceptibility to Toxocara infection in military personnel due to military operations. Due to lack of clinical manifestations in some patients, survey of Toxocara infection in eosinophilia cases is recommended.

Assessment of the diagnostic value of specific anti-Toxocara IgA in Slovakian patients suspected to have toxocarosis

Human toxocarosis is one of the most widespread and prevalent helminthic zoonosis in many countries, including Slovakia. The aim was to evaluate the usefulness of IgA anti-Toxocara antibody detection in the serodiagnosis of toxocarosis. The levels of specific IgA antibodies were determined by excretory-secretory (ES)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The IgA seropositivity in IgG anti-Toxocara seropositive patients (n = 52) was 32.7% and found to be highest in the oldest age groups (P = 0.026). The presence of IgA in suspected patients for toxocarosis were evaluated in respect to some characteristics of examined persons. Substantially higher IgA seropositivity was detected in patients with increased total IgE (44.8%) than in subjects with a normal level of IgE (17.4%; P = 0.036). No associations (P > 0.05) were found between IgA seropositivity and sex, level of specific IgG antibodies, avidity of IgG, eosinophilia, domicile, geophagia, traveling abroad, dog/cat ownership, or clinical symptoms. The IgA-ELISA showed sensitivity of 57.1% and specificity of 100%. Mild correlations (r = 0.302, r = 0.305, r = - 0.409) were observed between the levels of anti-Toxocara IgA antibodies and age, the amounts of eosinophils and IgA antibody levels, the amounts of eosinophils, and the values of IgG avidity, respectively. The presence of anti-Toxocara IgA may facilitate the diagnosis of toxocarosis and may well be useful for the determination of acute Toxocara infection. Moreover, this test should be accompanied by other immunological markers of examined patients (e.g., increased total IgE, eosinophilia, and low-avidity IgG antibodies).

Трудный диагноз: случай развития гранулематозного интерстициального нефрита с исходом в нефросклероз у девочки-подростка на фоне коморбидности и носительства токсокаров

Трудный диагноз: случай развития гранулематозного интерстициального нефрита с исходом в нефросклероз у девочки-подростка на фоне коморбидности и носительства токсокаров

Seroepidemiological study and associated risk factors of Toxocara canis infection among preschool children in Osun State, Nigeria

Human toxocariasis is caused by the nematode, Toxocara canis and it is a poorly understood phenomenon in Nigeria. Seroepidemiological studies have not been previously carried out among the preschool aged children in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted in pre-school children in four communities from Osun State, Nigeria between January and July 2016. A total of 308 children Aged 9 months and 5 years were studied comprising 53.2% (164/308) male and 46.8% (144/308) female. Blood samples were collected and screened for the presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies by Western blot analysis based on the excretory-secretory antigens of larva T. canis (TcES), targeting low molecular weight bands of 24 − 35kDa specific for T. canis. Questionnaires were given to parents/guardians of the studied children to collect information regarding relationship between infection and host factors. The overall seroprevalence of Toxocara infection was 37.3%. The seroprevalence in the studied preschool children ranged from 18.2% in children less than one year old to a max of 57.6% in children aged 3 years and above. The logistic regression analysis of risk factors showed that children’s age (odds ratio (OR)=6.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.25–29.90, p=0.02), contact with dogs (OR=3.17, 95% CI=1.40–7.20, p=0.01) and parent’s religion (OR=0.54, 95% CI=0.32–0.91, p=0.02) were the risk factors associated with Toxocara infection. However, after adjustment by multivariate logistic regression analysis, contact with dogs (p=0.02) remained the only statistically significant risk factor. Preschool children were exposed early in life to T. canis infection as 18.18% of children less than one year old were infected. This is the first serological investigation of T. canis infection among preschool children in Nigeria. The results show high levels of exposure to T. canis infection among the studied group and contact with the dog plays the predominant risk factor. It indicates high transmission with the consequent of visceral or ocular larva migrans and neurologic disorder in these children. The results also provide baseline data for effective prevention strategies of toxocariasis in Southwest Nigeria and the study recommends prompt interventional measures, particularly health education on personal hygiene.

Soil Contamination With Eggs of Toxocara Species in Public Parks of Karaj, Iran

Background: Human toxocariasis is one of the zoonotic helminth diseases that is usually occurred with exposure to contaminated soil. Both Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are considered the causative agents of Toxocara infection. Objectives: This survey was intended to provide data on the Toxocara species eggs contamination in soil samples in the public parks of Karaj, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out among 200 soil samples collected from 12 public parks between August and September 2016 to examine the soil contamination with Toxocara species eggs. Soil samples were tested for the presence of Toxocara eggs using sucrose flotation method. Results: Prevalence of Toxocara species eggs in soil samples collected from public parks was 36.4%. The highest number of eggs recovered from 200 g of soil was 20. A total of 200 eggs were recovered and 7.6% were fully developed to embryonated egg stages. The contamination rate in the third region in 4 studied areas was higher than the other regions. A similar tendency was observed in park areas, so that parks higher than 5000 m2 were highly contaminated. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, soils of the public parks in Karaj are one of the main risk factors for human toxocariasis.