A Review of Toxocariasis in man and animal

Document Type : Scientific and Research

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Parasitology Department, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Toxocariasis is an important parasitic zoonosis caused by larval stages of Toxocara species. The dog ascarid, T.canis is the probable cause of the human toxocariasis although two other species, T.cati and T.vitulorum are also possible causes of the disease. Larval migration through soft tissues in the humans generates several clinical entities in the patient such as visceral larval migrans (VLM), ocular larval migrans (OLM) and neurotoxocariasis. VLM is primarily the disease of children who are more likely to ingest eggs of Toxocara species. Generally human become infected by ingestion of embryonated eggs either from soil, dirty hands, raw fruits and vegetables or larvae from under cooked meat of paratenic hosts. It is a public health problem appears in variable frequencies depending in factors related to childrens, hygienic and behavioral habitats. The diagnosis and control of T. vitulorum is not easy as the larvae migrate in the tissues, remaining as dormant or hypobiotic parasites. These issues are summarized in this review, with emphasis on the history, epidemiology, clinical signs, molecular aspects, treatment and control of spread to both humans and animals. The preventive measures required through public health initiatives, employing treatment of pets and environmental intervention strategies that limit the areas where dogs and cats are allowed within the confines of urban centers. 

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