Brain food: rethinking food-borne toxocariasis

Healy, Sara R.; Morgan, Eric R.; Prada, Joaquín M.; Betson, Martha

doi:10.1017/s0031182021001591

Cited by 18 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…Raw or undercooked meat, giblets or offal from paratenic hosts that could harbor Toxocara spp. larvae should be avoided [139]. Remedies from traditional or alternative medicines that are based upon the ingestion of raw wild invertebrates should be prohibited [140].…”

Section: In Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapy and Prevention for Human Toxocariasis

2022

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For the last four decades, knowledge about human toxocariasis with regard to its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical spectrum, and imaging or laboratory diagnosis has substantially progressed. Knowledge about specific therapy with anthelmintics has lagged behind. To date, only four drugs are registered for human use, and their efficacy has rarely been assessed in prospective controlled trials. It is likely that the repurposing of potent anthelmintics from veterinary medicine will improve this situation. Due to its wide availability and a lack of major side effects during short regimens, albendazole has become the drug of choice. However, its efficacy should be more precisely assessed. The role of anthelmintics in the treatment of neurological or ocular toxocariasis remains to be clarified. Prophylactic measures in humans or companion animals are efficient and represent first-line treatments for the control of this zoonosis. Unfortunately, their implementation in areas or countries where toxocariasis epidemiology is driven by poverty is quite difficult or unrealistic.

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Section: In Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Therapy and Prevention for Human Toxocariasis

2022

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“…16 z stray cats, working and rural dogs than pet cats and dogs. 17 z Dogs and cats that are left outside or with unrestricted access to the outdoors and allowed to eat other animals. Humans among humans, infection rates are higher for:…”

Section: Risk Factors For Infectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The true number of cases that occur each year is difficult to estimate as most covert infections go undiagnosed due to less severe systemic manifestations and nonspecific laboratory abnormalities 28 ; also some cases reported in the uK may have been acquired abroad. 18 Of note, Toxocara infection is not a notifiable disease in the uK 41 or in the usa. 30 The true incidence of human toxocarosis has been suggested as a gap in the evidence.…”

Section: Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxocarosis in humans: how much of a problem is it in the UK?

Patterson

2022

DTB

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Toxocara canis(from dogs) is recognised as a potential cause of human toxocarosis, butToxocara cati(from cats) and other species (eg,Toxascaris leoninafound in foxes) are also possible causes. Most colonisation withToxocaraspecies does not lead to symptomatic infection in well-cared for adult animals; young and debilitated animals are at greater risk. Humans can acquire infection from infected animals, for example, via soil contaminated with faeces; however, most human infections are asymptomatic, with symptomatic infection being very rare in the UK. The risk of human infection is reduced by measures such as hand washing and responsible disposal of dog faeces. Some organisations recommend regular prophylactic treatment of pet dogs and cats. However, there are concerns that some parasiticides are contaminating the environment. As an example of a One-Health problem there is a potential conflict between the needs of animal health, human health and the health of the wider ecosystem. Also, considering that only about 5% of non-juvenile household dogs shedToxocaraeggs at a given time, it has been questioned whether it is worthwhile to invest in frequent blind treatments. British veterinary organisations have suggested less frequent treatment may be more appropriate and should be based on individual risk assessment and faecal examinations for worms rather than blanket regular prophylactic treatment, which could reduce the impact of parasiticides on the environment without greatly increasing the risks to animal or human health.

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“…7,11 Transmission to humans occurs via consumption of infectious larvated eggs in contaminated soil, sand or water. 5,12,13 Contact with eggs on the hair of companion animals 14 and consumption of undercooked meat or offal 15 are also possible routes of infection. In definitive canid and felid hosts, larvae generally demonstrate entero-hepatic-pulmonary migration before returning to the intestine to develop into adults, resulting in respiratory and intestinal pathology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WormWatch: Park soil surveillance reveals extensive Toxocara contamination across the UK and Ireland

et al. 2022

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Background: Toxocarosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease, but sources of infection are not well documented over large geographical scales. To determine levels of environmental contamination, soil from 142 parks and recreational areas across the UK and Ireland was assessed for the presence of Toxocara. Methods: Toxocara ova (eggs) were isolated from soil samples by sieving and flotation and then enumerated. Individual eggs were isolated and imaged, and a subset was characterised by species-specific PCR and Sanger sequencing. Results: Characteristic Toxocara-type eggs were found in 86.6% of parks, with an average of 2.1 eggs per 50 g of topsoil. Representative eggs were confirmed as Toxocara canis by Sanger sequencing, with many eggs containing developed larvae, hence being viable and potentially infective. Positive samples were more common, and egg density was higher, in parks with greater perceived levels of dog fouling. Limitations: Samples were collected at a single timepoint and with limited spatial mapping within parks. Further study is needed to discern spatiotemporal differences within parks and recreational areas. Conclusion: Toxocara is widespread in soil in public parks, indicating a need for further efforts to reduce egg shedding from pet dogs. Standardised methods and large-scale surveys are required to evaluate risk factors for egg presence and the impact of interventions.

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Brain food: rethinking food-borne toxocariasis

Cited by 18 publications

References 112 publications

Therapy and Prevention for Human Toxocariasis

Therapy and Prevention for Human Toxocariasis

Toxocarosis in humans: how much of a problem is it in the UK?

WormWatch: Park soil surveillance reveals extensive Toxocara contamination across the UK and Ireland

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