Neglected Parasitic Infections in the United States: Toxocariasis

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a preventable parasitic disease that is caused by the dog and cat roundworms Toxocara cani and T. cati, respectively. Humans become infected when they accidently ingest infectious Toxocara eggs commonly found in contaminated soil; children are most often affected. Clinical manifestations of Toxocara infection in humans include ocular toxocariasis and visceral toxocariasis. Although infection with Toxocara can cause devastating disease, the burden of toxocariasis in the United States population remains unknown. In addition, risk factors for acquiring infection need to be better defined, and research needs to be conducted to better understand the pathophysiology and clinical course of toxocariasis. Development of diagnostic tests would enable clinicians to detect active infection, and determination of optimal drug regiments would ensure patients were appropriately treated. Addressing these public health gaps is necessary to understand and address the impact of toxocariasis in the United States.

Molecular mechanism of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1cα–PP1r7) in spermatogenesis of Toxocara canis

“…Toxocariasis is one of the most important, but neglected, parasitic canine diseases, which is mainly caused by the nematode Toxocara canis (Hotez and Wilkins, 2009;Moreira et al, 2014;Woodhall et al, 2014). Humans and various animals can be infected by accidental ingestion of embryonated Toxocara eggs or consumption of arrested larvae in the viscera or raw/undercooked meat from infected hosts (Taira et al, 2004;Morimatsu et al, 2006;Choi et al, 2008).…”

Environmental contamination with Toxocara eggs and seroprevalence of toxocariasis in children of northeastern Poland

“…Young children, however, are at higher risk of contracting the disease, due to their play habits and a tendency to put the hands in the mouth. It is believed that the seroprevalence is linked to the level of environmental contamination, although risk factors vary from country to country (Macpherson 2013;Strube et al 2013;Woodhall et al 2014).…”

Emerging infectious diseases with cutaneous manifestations

“…The disease is endemic throughout the United States, with studies showing that it may be among the most common human parasitic infections. [19][20][21] The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated toxocariasis as a neglected parasitic infection in the US and notes that at least 70 people each year are blinded by this disease. 22 Human infection occurs J AM ACAD DERMATOL VOLUME 75, NUMBER 1 through accidental ingestion of eggs from the environment, commonly in soil contaminated with dog or cat feces.…”

“…It is estimated that millions of Americans have been exposed to the Toxocara parasite, with 13.9% of the US population $6 years of age being seropositive (based on public health data from 1988-1994). 19 Moreover, toxocariasis represents an emerging infection in African Americans and children in the southern US. 21 (Fig 4), various forms of eczema (eg, atopic dermatitis and dyshidrosis), and chronic pruritus or prurigo.…”