Soil contamination by Toxocara canis and human seroprevalence in the Attica region, Greece

Abstract

Background Toxocara canis is one of the most widespread public health and economically important zoonotic parasitic infections humans share with canids, mainly dogs. Human infection occurs by the accidental ingestion of embryonated eggs or larvae from a range of wild and domestic paratenic hosts. The aim of the present study was to examine the soil contamination of public places by the parasitic ova and to estimate serologically the prevalence of T. canis human infection in the Attica region, Greece. Methods In this region, public areas are permanently inhabited by dogs, mostly stray dog population that is hardly kept down to a manageable level. A total of 1,510 soil samples were collected from 33 public places of six regional units of Attica from March 2014 to April 2014 and ova were detected using a microscopic assay. In addition, sera were collected from 250 residents, routinely active in the sampled areas, and tested for T. canis IgG antibodies using an enzyme immunoassay. Results T. canis eggs were isolated from 31 (94%) of the examined public areas. Of the total samples, T. canis ova were recovered from 258 samples, suggesting an overall T. canis ova contamination of 17.2%. The areas of higher socioeconomic status presented lower percentages of soil contamination in a statistically significant level, compared to the areas of lower socioeconomic status. T. canis IgG seropositivity was detected in 40 (16%) serum samples. Similar rates were established among T. canis seropositivity and soil contamination within the same geographical areas. The proportion of seropositive samples in the group of children was significantly higher compared to the proportion of adults (48% versus 8%, p<0.001). Conclusion The level of environmental T. canis contamination as well as human infection found in the Attica region calls for a greater awareness towards this public issue. Preventing measures should be implemented to control the spread of this parasitic infection.

Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis infection and associated risk factors among primary schoolchildren in rural Southern Thailand

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Soil and sand contamination with canine intestinal parasite eggs as a risk factor for human health in public parks in Niš (Serbia)

“…The results of this study agree with the data about soil contamination with T. canis eggs obtained by the authors from the Czech Republic 5.0 to 20.4 % (Dubná et al, 2007), Croatia -15.5 do 23.3 % (Stojčević et al, 2010), Spain -16.4 % (Dado et al, 2012), Poland -16.6 % (Bojar & Káapeü, 2012), Romania -17.17 % (Tudor, 2015) and Greece -17.2 % (Papavasilopoulos et al, 2018).…”

Comparison of the Level of Awareness about the Transmission of Echinococcosis and Toxocariasis between Pet Owners and Non-Pet Owners in Greece

“…Similar rates were established among T. canis seropositivity and soil contamination within the same geographical areas. The proportion of seropositive samples in the group of children was significantly higher compared to the proportion of adults (48% versus 8%, p < 0.001) [ 21 ]. In Crete, Greece, totals of 879 dog and 264 cat fecal samples were examined in 2017.…”