Toxocarosis as Zoonosis. A Review of Literature and the Prevalence of<i>Toxocara Canis</i>Antibodies in 511 Serum Sample

Theodoridis, I.; Frydas, S.; Papazahariadou, M.; Hatzistilianou, Maria; Adαmama-Moraitou, K. K.; Gioacchino, M. Di; Felaco, Mario

doi:10.1177/039463200101400104

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Moreover, in order to restrain possible zoonotic transmission, the establishment of an informed cat owner population is pivotal [ 42 , 44 ]. Up-to-date, published data regarding human toxocarosis in Greece is scarce and limited only to some sporadic cases [ 47 – 49 ]. Regarding felines, it is also speculated that T. cati infection has an effect on gut microbiota richness and diversity, most likely attributed to the immune-modulatory properties of this ascarid.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feline gastrointestinal parasitism in Greece: emergent zoonotic species and associated risk factors

et al. 2018

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BackgroundFeline gastrointestinal parasitism constitutes an issue of concern for veterinarians since parasites are widespread and affect animals’ health and welfare. Furthermore, some of these pathogens have zoonotic potential. To provide detailed data on the current epizootiology of feline endoparasitism, a multicentric survey was conducted during 2016.MethodsFaeces from 1150 cats were collected from all regions of Greece and examined by sedimentation and flotation techniques. Possible risk factors including gender, age, ownership status, living conditions and co-infections with other parasites were assessed using binary regression models for each one of the most prevalent parasites.ResultsThe overall gastrointestinal parasite prevalence in cats was 50.7%. The study population consisted of cats of both sexes, different age groups, ownership status and living conditions. A total of 10 gastrointestinal parasitic species were detected and up to 5 different parasites were isolated in the same faecal sample. The most frequently identified parasites were Toxocara cati (n = 278; 24.2%), followed by Cystoisospora spp. (n = 189; 16.4%), Ancylostomatidae (n = 186; 16.2%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (n = 40; 3.5%), Giardia spp. (n = 26; 2.3%), Joyeuxiella pasqualei (n = 14; 1.2%), Capillaria aerophila (n = 8; 0.7%), Dipylidium caninum (n = 3; 0.2%), Toxascaris leonina (n = 2; 0.1%) and Troglostrongylus brevior (n = 2; 0.1%). The occurrence of co-infections was 11.6%. Concerning risk factors, the likelihood of T. cati infection was higher for female cats living outdoors and for cats being infected with Cystoisospora spp. In the same frame, young, stray, male and free of A. abstrusus cats were more likely to be infected with Cystoisospora spp. Correspondingly, stray, infected with Giardia spp. but free of Cystoisospora spp. cats were more likely to be infected with Ancylostomatidae. Regarding A. abstrusus infection, a higher probability was reported for cats living outdoors and for cats free of Cystoisospora spp., while Giardia spp. infections were more common in young and co-infected with Ancylostomatidae animals.ConclusionsThe prevalence of parasitized cats in Greece was high and thus consideration should be paid to control the risk factors, to implement targeted preventive antiparasitic treatments and educate cat owners on the value of prevention for the health and welfare of their cats.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2812-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feline gastrointestinal parasitism in Greece: emergent zoonotic species and associated risk factors

et al. 2018

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“…Although mainly T. canis is considered responsible for human toxocarosis [82], the role of T. cati in human toxocarosis should not be underestimated [82–84]. In Greece, toxocarosis in humans has not been studied extensively since published data are restricted only to some sporadic cases [85, 86] and one study regarding the seroprevalence of T. canis in children [87]. Our results combined to all European studies presented above strongly suggest that more information is needed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance, zoonotic potential and risk factors of intestinal parasitism amongst dog and cat populations: The scenario of Crete, Greece

Kostopoulou

Claerebout

Arvanitis³

et al. 2017

Parasites Vectors

110

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BackgroundThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and infection intensity of intestinal parasites in different dog and cat populations in Crete, Greece, estimate the zoonotic risk and identify risk factors.MethodsFaecal samples from shelter, household and shepherd dogs and shelter and household cats were analyzed using sedimentation/flotation techniques. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were detected by a quantitative direct immunofluorescence assay (IFA). PCR and sequencing was performed to evaluate the zoonotic potential of Giardia and Cryptosporidium positive samples.ResultsTotals of 879 dog and 264 cat faecal samples were examined. In dogs, the overall prevalence was 25.2% (CI: 22.4–28.1) for Giardia spp.; 9.2% (CI: 7.3–11.1) for Ancylostoma/Uncinaria spp.; 7.6% (CI: 5.9–9.4) for Toxocara spp.; 5.9% (CI: 4.4–7.5) for Cryptosporidium spp.; 4.6% (CI: 3.2–5.9) for Cystoisospora spp.; 2.7% (CI: 1.7–3.8) for Toxascaris leonina; 1.7% (CI: 0.9–2.6) for Capillaria spp.; 0.8% (CI: 0.2–1.4) for taeniid eggs; 0.2% (CI: 0–0.5) for Dipylidium caninum; and 0.1% (CI: 0–0.3) for Strongyloides stercoralis. In cats, the prevalence was 20.5% (CI: 15.6–25.3) for Giardia spp.; 9.5% (CI: 5.9–13.0) for Cystoisospora spp.; 8.3% (CI: 5.0–11.7) for Toxocara spp.; 7.6% (CI: 4.4–10.8) for Ancylostoma/Uncinaria spp.; 6.8% (CI: 3.8–9.9) for Cryptosporidium spp.; 4.2% (CI: 1.8–6.6) for Capillaria spp.; 0.8% (CI: 0–1.8) for taeniid eggs; and 0.4% (CI: 0–1.1) for Hammondia/Toxoplasma. Concerning the risk factors evaluated, there was a negative association between age and Giardia infection and between age and T. leonina infection intensity for dogs. Sequencing results revealed the presence of mainly animal-specific G. duodenalis assemblages C and D in dogs and assemblages F, C and BIV-like in cats, with only a limited number of (co-)infections with assemblage A. As for Cryptosporidium, the dog-specific C. canis and the pig-specific C. scrofarum were detected in dogs and the cat-specific C. felis was detected in cats.ConclusionsHigh levels of parasitism in both dogs and cats were recorded. Giardia was the most prevalent parasite in all dog and cat populations except for shepherd dogs. Genotyping results suggest a limited zoonotic risk of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections from dogs and cats in Crete. Taeniid eggs were more prevalent in shepherd dogs suggesting access to carcasses and posing a threat for cystic echinococcosis transmission. Infection rates of Toxocara spp. in both dogs and cats show that companion animals could be a significant source of infection to humans.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-1989-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…The results for gender have been contradictory. Specifically, the male gender has been observed to face increased risk [51],[57], to protect the subject [63],[64] and to show no association with Toxocara contact [52],[65],[66]. A young age [63], low socioeconomic status [16],[20],[60], low parental education [52], poor sanitation [53],[67], onychophagy [65],[66], geophagy [57],[59], an absence of hand washing before meals [54], eosinophilia [51],[58], and dog ownership [57],[58],[59],[68] are factors associated with Toxocara contact or infection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence and Modifiable Risk Factors for Toxocara spp. in Brazilian Schoolchildren

Cassenote

Lima

Neto³

et al. 2014

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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BackgroundToxocariasis is a worldwide helminthic zoonosis caused by infection with the larvae of the ascarid worms that comprise the Toxocara spp. Children are particularly prone to infection because they are exposed to the eggs in sandboxes and playgrounds contaminated with dog and cat feces. Certain behaviors, such as a geophagy habit, poor personal hygiene, a lack of parental supervision, close contact with young dogs, and ingestion of raw meat, as well as gender, age, and socioeconomic status, affect the prevalence of the disease. However, previous studies of the risk factors for toxocariasis have generally produced inconsistent results. An epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of IgG anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies and associated factors in schoolchildren from a region in the southeast of Brazil.Methodology/Principal FindingsA total of 252 schoolchildren aged 1 to 12 years (120 males and 132 females) were assessed. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory antigens was used to determine outcomes. A questionnaire was used to collect information on children, family, and home characteristics. Clinical and laboratory data completed the dataset investigated in this study. Seroprevalence was 15.5% (95%CI 11.5–19.8). Geophagy (aPR 2.38 [95%CI 1.36–4.18], p-value 0.029) and the habit of hand washing before meals (aPR 0.04 [95%CI 0.01–0.11], p-value ≤0.001) were factors associated with increased and decreased seroprevalence, respectively. The income factor and its related variables lost statistical significance after adjustment with a multiple Poisson regression model.Conclusions/SignificanceThe current study confirms that toxocariasis is a public health problem in the evaluated area; modifiable factors such as soil contact and personal hygiene appear to have a greater influence on the acquisition of infection than sociodemographic attributes, thus representing direct targets for disease prevention and control.

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Toxocarosis as Zoonosis. A Review of Literature and the Prevalence ofToxocara CanisAntibodies in 511 Serum Sample

Cited by 16 publications

References 32 publications

Feline gastrointestinal parasitism in Greece: emergent zoonotic species and associated risk factors

Feline gastrointestinal parasitism in Greece: emergent zoonotic species and associated risk factors

Abundance, zoonotic potential and risk factors of intestinal parasitism amongst dog and cat populations: The scenario of Crete, Greece

Seroprevalence and Modifiable Risk Factors for Toxocara spp. in Brazilian Schoolchildren

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