Comparison of the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks soils in different seasons, from 2017 to 2018, Tehran Province, Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: Toxocariasis is one of the most important pathogens transmitted to humans through the soil. Temperature 12-37°C provides the best conditions for infecting eggs to be transmitted to humans, dogs, and other hosts. This study is preliminary in order to detect Toxocara eggs in public park soils and to study the correlation between seasons and climate variation with contamination rate. Methodology: A total of 1132 soil samples were collected over the course of the year, from 11 major parks. A centrifugal-floatation technique with the utilization of saturated sodium nitrate solution was used to examine the soil samples to recover Toxocara spp eggs. Results: Out of 1132 samples collected from public park soils, 129 (11.39%) samples were positive for Toxocara spp eggs, Laleh Park in south part showed the highest contamination rate. Contamination rate varied according to the site of parks, location with the highest rate in the south followed by center and the prevalence of eggs is high in spring and autumn without significant association. The prevalence of Toxocara spp eggs in soil associated significantly with Average temperature and rainfall (P = 0.04, 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: According to our study findings, soils of the public parks in Tehran showed as one of the main sites for contamination with Toxocara spp eggs. The prevalence of soil contamination varied according to a climate of different seasons, spring and autumn climate such as temperature and rainfall rate were considered as optimal condition for eggs development and to survive.

Sero-epidemiology of <i>Toxocara canis</i> infection in people attending four educational and therapeutic centres in Alborz Province, Iran

“…The expatriation of parasitic larvae into the viscera or other organs causes the symptomatic form of infection, in the state situation manifestations include three major complications of visceral and ocular larvae migration, and neurotoxocariasis [3]. The majority of the population involved in Toxocara infection are children, but the detection of even previous infections in adults is valuable because it not only determines the prevalence of infection in individuals in the area, but is also a good indicator for environmental health assessment, animal infection status, and from the preventive planning perspective [4].…”

Disinvasive action of aldehyde and chlorine disinfectants on the test-culture of Toxocara canis eggs

“…Toxocara canis larvae survive in water at temperatures between 15 and 35°C, helminth eggs survive cooling down to 1 and -2°C for 6 weeks and can develop to the invasive stage (Azam et al, 2011). A temperature of 12-37°C provides the best conditions for infection with human and animal helminth eggs (Raissi et al, 2019). The development of helminth eggs in the environment is considered as a potential threat to public health, and the precise definition of the stages of development and a clear differentiation of viable and non-viable eggs can be used in the study of antiparasitic compounds (Abou-El-Naga, 2018).…”

“…The clinical manifestation of toxocariasis in humans ranges from asymptomatic to severe infection with organ trauma caused by the migration of parasite larvae (Nicoletti, 2013). Today, toxocariasis is a serious environmental problem in large cities and towns (Raissi et al, 2019). Human toxocariasis remains a threat, despite the availability of highly effective anthelmintics for dogs and cats.…”

Contaminação Ambiental Por Geo-Helmintos Em Praças Do Município De Botucatu,são Paulo.

“…Os geo-helmintos são um grupo de parasitas em que parte do ciclo evolutivo ocorre necessariamente no solo, que desempenha o papel de fonte de infecção, propiciando o desenvolvimento dos estágios infectantes (Mota et al, 2018). Os geohelmintos têm grande relevância em saúde pública, entre as principais geohemintíases incluem a ascaridíase, tricuríase, ancilostomíase, necatoríase, estrongiloidíase e toxocaríase (Raissi et al, 2019).…”

“…Estima-se que mais de 1,5 bilhão de pessoas, ou 24% da população mundial (WHO, 2018). O solo pode ser responsável pela transmissão das geo-helmintíases, principalmente quando o local é compartilhado por animais e por humanos, como em parques e/ou praças públicas (Raissi et al, 2019). O livre acesso de cães e gatos a esses locais, onde geralmente depositam suas fezes, podem aumentar probabilidade de contaminação do solo por ovos e larvas de geo-helmintos (Cassenote et al, 2011).…”