Levels of Toxocara infections in dogs and cats from urban Vietnam together with associated risk factors for transmission

J Helminthol. 2016 Jul;90(4):508-10. doi: 10.1017/S0022149X15000619. Epub 2015 Jul 30.

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of Toxocara infection in household cats and dogs, together with the presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies in humans and the level of egg contamination in soil and vegetable samples from the local environment. Prevalence values of 47.8% of 253 cats and 37.7% of 284 dogs were recorded, together with 35.8% of eggs in soil samples, 25.0% in garden vegetables and in 56.3% of 16 dog-hair samples. The risk of the infection was higher for dogs and cats in households with egg-contaminated soil compared to those without evidence of soil contamination. The high prevalence of dog and cat Toxocara infection and their indiscriminate defecation behaviour contribute to a significant risk of transmission to humans as 58.7% of human blood samples were seropositive for Toxocara. Anthelmintic treatment of dogs and cats, plus educating household members, must be emphasized in any prevention programme in Vietnam.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cat Diseases / transmission
  • Cats
  • Cities / epidemiology
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology*
  • Dog Diseases / transmission
  • Dogs
  • Family Characteristics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Soil / parasitology
  • Toxocara / isolation & purification*
  • Toxocariasis / epidemiology
  • Toxocariasis / parasitology*
  • Toxocariasis / transmission*
  • Vegetables / parasitology
  • Vietnam / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Soil