Presence of eggs of Toxocara spp. and hookworms in a student environment in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The contamination levels of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil samples from a university campus in Mexico City were evaluated and analysed according to garden size, and were related with the percentage of Toxocara spp. eggs and its viability according to the soil characteristics. A total of 1458 soil samples collected in 15 gardens (six large and nine small) were analysed by sedimentation-flotation with zinc sulphate solution on at 33%. Contamination was low (12.9%), and egg viability was high (65.5%). The size of the garden had no influence on the presence and viability of Toxocara spp. eggs. Contamination was negatively correlated with the percentage of vegetation (r = -0. 61, P < 0.01) and the viability was negatively associated with the percentage of clay in the soil samples (r = -0.51, P < 0.04). The size of the garden did not influence the presence and viability of Toxocara spp. eggs.

“…is due to the presence of dogs and cats, coinciding with reports from a university campus in Brazil (GALLINA et al, 2011). One reason that Toxocara spp.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 59%

“…eggs because of the high density of dogs, such as Mexico, with levels at 60% (ROMERO et al, 2009), and Venezuela, also 60% (CAZORLA et al, 2007). Regarding soil in educational spaces, a contamination level of 62% was found in a Brazilian university campus, where stray dogs were constantly present (GALLINA et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs in a University in Mexico City

Trejo

Núñez

Contreras

et al. 2012

“…In the present study, eggs were detected throughout the year, but the recovery rate was significantly higher in autumn, in contrast with some studies carried out in south Brazil. Chieffi and Müller (1976) observed the greater contamination in winter and spring, while Gallina et al (2011) verified the greatest incidence of parasites in the spring.…”

mentioning

confidence: 89%

Contamination of public parks in Presidente Prudente (São Paulo, Brazil) by Toxocara spp. eggs

Santarém

Pereira

Alegre

2012

This study aims to evaluate soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil. Soil samples (500 g) were collected every month over a 12-month period, from 25 parks in different parts of the city (northern, southern, eastern, western and central areas). Two 10-g aliquots of the material collected from each park were subjected to the centrifuge-flotation method to recover Toxocara spp. eggs. Twenty-four out of the 25 squares studied (96.0%) were contaminated and the number of eggs recovered ranged from 1 to 398 per sample. Eggs were recovered all over the year. Despite the number being greater in autumn (p < 0.001), there was no correlation between number egg number and average monthly temperature (r = -0.492; p = 0.148) or between egg number and monthly rainfall (r = -0.299; p = 0.402). Park localization does not influence egg presence (p = 0.7116). Because of the high level of contamination of the parks by Toxocara spp. eggs, prevention of contamination of public areas by larva migrans agents is indicated.Keywords: Environment contamination, epidemiology, toxocariasis, larva migrans. ResumoO objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a contaminação do solo de praças públicas por ovos de Toxocara spp. em Presidente Prudente, São Paulo. Amostras de solo (500 g) foram coletadas mensalmente, durante um período de 12 meses, de 25 praças de cinco diferentes setores da cidade (norte, sul, leste, oeste e central). Duas alíquotas de 10 g do material coletado foram submetidas ao método de centrífugo-flutuação (sulfato de zinco; d = 1.200 g/cm 3 ), para recuperação dos ovos. Das 25 praças estudadas, 24 (96,0%) estavam contaminadas e o número variou de 1 a 398 ovos por amostra analisada. A recuperação foi verificada durante todos os meses do ano, sendo maior no outono (p < 0,001). Entretanto, não houve correlação entre o número de ovos e a temperatura média (r = -0,492; p = 0,148) e a precipitação pluviométrica (r = -0,299; p = 0,402) mensal. Não houve influência da localização dos parques sobre a quantidade de ovos (p = 0,7116). Devido ao alto nível de contaminação de parques públicos por ovos de Toxocara spp., a prevenção da contaminação de áreas públicas pelos agentes de larva migrans é indicada.Palavras-chave: Contaminação ambiental, epidemiologia, toxocaríase, larva migrans.

“…In many Brazilian cities, as well as in those in other emerging countries, a large dog population runs at large on the streets and public parks, together with many animals that are brought by owners (GUIMARÃES et al, 2005;NEVES;MASSARA, 2009;GALLINA et al, 2011). Dogs defecate in these places, thus contaminating the soil, onto which they can eliminate thousands of helminth eggs per gram of feces.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PEREIRA et al, 2010). Contamination of public parks by dog, cat and even human feces is a public health hazard due to the possibility of disease transmission, among which visceral larva migrans, cutaneous larva migrans, ascariasis, trichuriasis and other helminth diseases transmitted by contact with either contaminated soil or contaminated food WILKINS, 2009;BOWMAN et al, 2010).In many Brazilian cities, as well as in those in other emerging countries, a large dog population runs at large on the streets and public parks, together with many animals that are brought by owners (GUIMARÃES et al, 2005;NEVES;MASSARA, 2009;GALLINA et al, 2011). Dogs defecate in these places, thus contaminating the soil, onto which they can eliminate thousands of helminth eggs per gram of feces.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency of geohelminths in public squares in Pelotas, RS, Brazil

Moura

Jeske

Vieira

et al. 2013

Self Cite

The frequency of parasitic contamination of public areas in the municipality of Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was studied between June 2010 and May 2011, when soil samples were collected from eight city squares. Out of 400 samples submitted to centrifugal floatation technique in solution of sodium dichromate with density of 1.35, 176 (44%) proved positive for at least one parasite; 29 (16.5%) samples were multi-infested. The results showed that there was a significant soil contamination rate in all the parks included in the study. The positivity rate was higher for hookworms eggs (13.5%) and Toxocara eggs (8.8%); Trichuris, Ascaris and Capillaria eggs were also detected. This study shows the risks to which the population is exposed in relation to zoonotic geohelminths, and suggests that sanitation and health education measures should be implemented in the municipality.Keywords: Helminths, environmental contamination, Toxocara, hookworms, eggs. ResumoA frequência de contaminação parasitária de áreas públicas de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foi avaliada entre junho de 2010 e maio de 2011, com coletas mensais de amostras de solo de oito praças. Das 400 amostras submetidas à técnica de centrífugo-flutuação em solução de dicromato de sódio com densidade de 1,35, 176 (44%) apresentaram pelo menos uma forma parasitária e, das amostras positivas, 29 (16,5%) estavam poliparasitadas. Os resultados demonstraram relevante índice de contaminação do solo em todas as praças avaliadas, com maiores índices de positividade para ovos de ancilostomídeos (13,5%) e ovos de Toxocara (8,8%), sendo também identificados ovos de Trichuris, Ascaris e Capillaria. O estudo demonstrou a contaminação ambiental de praças públicas e os riscos a que a população está exposta em relação a doenças causadas por geoparasitos zoonóticos e sugere que medidas de saneamento e educação em saúde devem ser implementadas no município.Palavras-chave: Helmintos, contaminação ambiental, Toxocara, Ancilostomídeos, ovos. PEREIRA et al., 2010). Contamination of public parks by dog, cat and even human feces is a public health hazard due to the possibility of disease transmission, among which visceral larva migrans, cutaneous larva migrans, ascariasis, trichuriasis and other helminth diseases transmitted by contact with either contaminated soil or contaminated food WILKINS, 2009;BOWMAN et al., 2010).In many Brazilian cities, as well as in those in other emerging countries, a large dog population runs at large on the streets and public parks, together with many animals that are brought by owners (GUIMARÃES et al., 2005;NEVES;MASSARA, 2009;GALLINA et al., 2011). Dogs defecate in these places, thus contaminating the soil, onto which they can eliminate thousands of helminth eggs per gram of feces. These eggs, because of the consistency of their outer cuticle, remain viable in the environment for long periods, thus exposing the human population, especially children, to the risk of infection and development of parasitic diseases (SANTARÉM et ...