Studies on flotation techniques for the recovery of helminth eggs from soil and the prevalence of eggs of Toxocara spp in some Kansas public places

A technique for extracting Toxocara spp eggs from soil had a recovery efficiency ranging from 53% to 68%. Using the technique, 50 of 232 (22%) soil samples from city and university properties were found to be contaminated with eggs of Toxocara spp. Of 50 samples from highway rest areas, 8 (16%) were contaminated. From a public health standpoint, it was particularly noteworthy that 9 of 23 (39%) samples from sandboxes in student family quarters were contaminated with Toxocara spp eggs.     

Spatial analysis of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil as a potential for serious human infection

Toxocara spp. cause one of the most widespread soil-transmitted helminthic infections worldwide. In both developed and developing countries, soil contamination with Toxocara eggs is considered as a major threat to public health. A total of 515 soil samples from 89 sampling sites were collected from different locations of public health such as Wastelands and Streets, public parks, and marginal areas. The soil samples were examined for Toxocara eggs using a centrifugal-floatation technique utilizing a saturated sodium nitrate solution. centralization of positive soil samples in the province was studied by Spatial Statistics Techniques such as Average Nearest Neighbors and Spatial Autocorrelation and Kernel Density Function Toxocara spp. eggs were found in 94 (18.25 %) out of 515 samples collected from the studied areas. According to the results obtained, marginal areas are often contaminated with eggs of Toxocara. Consequently, preventive measures including health education should be implemented to reduce the potential risk of this parasitic infection.     

Biological interaction between soil fungi and Toxocara canis eggs.

Fungi from the soil of public areas in La Plata, Argentina were isolated and evaluated for their biological interaction with Toxocara canis eggs in vitro. We isolated and identified two fungal species: Fusarium pallidoroseum and Mucor hiemalis. Each species was co-cultured with T. canis eggs in sterile distilled water. The samples were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at days 4, 7 and 14 post-inoculation. Under the conditions of our experiments, F. pallidoroseum exhibited a high ovicidal activity on T. canis eggs, whereas M. hiemalis exhibited no such effects.     

Prevalence of Toxocara spp. and other parasites in dogs and cats in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Several cases of visceral larva migrans syndrome in children led to an investigation of the ova of Toxocara spp. and other species in stool specimens from stray dogs and cats in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fecal samples from 474 stray dogs and 299 stray cats were examined. Ova of Toxocara canis or cati were present in stools from 26.6% of the dogs and 25.1% of the cats. In dogs the prevalence of Toxocara canis was noticeably greater in puppies (56.1%) than in mature animals (11.9%).     

Association between contamination of public squares and seropositivity for Toxocara spp. in children

A concomitant study was carried out, of the association of positive serology for Toxocara spp. in 90 children who played in public squares used for leisure, with the frequency with which each child used these areas, and the presence of eggs of Toxocara spp. in the sand or grass in these locations. The sand and grass of their peridomiciles and school playgrounds, as well as the feces of their dogs were also analyzed for Toxocara. Serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies to Toxocara canis excreted-secreted larval antigens by ELISA, and blood samples for eosinophilia. The water-sedimentation technique was used to evaluate the presence of parasite eggs in the sand and grass turfs, and in feces of the dogs that also frequented these locations. 16/90 (17.8%) of the children were seropositive for Toxocara spp. There was a positive association between seropositivity in children who played in the public squares six or seven times a week, with a parasite load above 1.1 eggs/g of sand, as well as with contamination of the peridomicile, even at less than 1.0 egg/g of sand. Eosinophilia, the habit of geophagy, age from one to four years, and the presence of parasitized pet dogs were also positively correlated with seropositivity in the children. Eggs were found in 15/15 (100%) of the public squares, 17/90 (18.9%) of the peridomiciles, 3/13 (23.1%) of the schools, and 12/41 (29.3%) of the dogs living in the peridomiciles investigated.     

Prevalence of fecal contamination in sandpits in public parks in Sapporo City, Japan

A total of 107 sandpits in public parks in Sapporo City were examined, 9 and 73 were contaminated with helminth eggs and fecal coliforms, respectively. Of the nine in which eggs were detected, eight were contaminated with Toxocara spp. and one with Capillaria spp. eggs. The contamination rate of sandpits of more than 30 m2 ranged from 43 to 50%, while in those 30 m2 or less it was between 73 and 92%. Although helminth eggs were evenly distributed throughout all layers of the sandpits, fecal coliforms were localized on the sandpit surfaces. Recovered Toxocara eggs were identified according to their size and surface structures, and almost all eggs were T. cati. Based on these results, and given the inherent habits of cats, measures to prevent their defecation in sandpits are needed, especially ones of smaller size.     

Prevalence and distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in domestic dogs from Ankara and vicinity in Turkey

A total of 280 dogs in Ankara and vicinity were examined from November 2000 through December 2001 by the PetChek antigen ELISA and polycarbonate filter-acid phosphatase histochemical staining techniques for Dirofilaria immitis infection. Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) infection was found in 26 dogs (9.3%), all of which were kept always outdoors and non prophylacted by their owners. The distribution of heartworm infected dogs was not uniform. Infection with D. immitis was correlated with differences in age and sex. But, no significant association was found.     

Investigation of Bartonella henselae in cats in Ankara, Turkey

The purpose of this study was to determine Bartonella henselae prevalance in cats in Ankara. Whole bloods and sera collected from 256 cats were investigated for the presence feline Bartonella species by culture and sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against B. henselae IgG using immunofluorescence assay. Bartonella species were isolated by blood culture from 24 (9.4%) cats. Bartonella isolates were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) by using TaqI and HhaI endonucleases to identify species. Twenty-one isolates were determined as B. henselae and three of 24 isolates were determined as Bartonella clarridgeiae with RFLP. The bacteraemia prevalence and seroprevalence of B. henselae IgG antibodies in cats was detected as 8.2% and 18.6% respectively. This is the first report on B. henselea and B. clarridgeiae in cats in Turkey.     

Survey on the contamination of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in the soil of public parks of Wuhan, China

Toxoplasma gondii of warm-blooded animals and humans is an important pathogenic agent throughout the world. Soil is increasingly recognized as an important source in the transmission of Toxoplasma. To attain the contamination status of T. gondii in the soil of public parks, a total of 252 soil samples were collected from September 2009 to August 2010 at different sites located in 6 public parks of Wuhan, Hubei, China and detected by PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The detection limit of PCR/B1, PCR/529 and LAMP was determined to be 50, 5, and 5 tachyzoites in soil, respectively. Forty-one samples were found positive for Toxoplasma DNA by PCR on both genes, whereas LAMP products were generated in 58 samples (χ(2)=3.6328, P=0.0567). All parks were found contaminated and no significant difference was found among the parks (PCR: χ(2)=0.0072, P=0.9325; LAMP: χ(2)=0.6101, P=0.4347). However, contamination was found with significantly different among the four seasons (PCR: χ(2)=11.6066, P=0.0007; LAMP: χ(2)=12.4636, P=0.0004), with a gradual decrease in the prevalence from spring to winter on both analyses. This is the first investigation on soil contamination of public parks in China by T. gondii oocysts. The results indicate that the soil of public parks contaminated with T. gondii oocysts may play a role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis and effective preventive measures should be considered. Moreover, the conventional PCR and LAMP used in the present study are applicable to detect T. gondii oocysts in soil samples.     

Contamination of soil with Toxocara eggs in urban (Prague) and rural areas in the Czech Republic

Contamination of soil with feline and canine ascarid eggs in public parks, backyards and sand pits in Prague, Czech Republic was investigated in this work. Soil samples from shelters and rural areas were also collected. The comparison of soil from different areas (urban, rural, backyards and shelters) exhibited significant difference (chi(2)=32.16, d.f.=3 and p<0.0001). The highest rate of contamination (45%) was found in backyards inhabited by feral cats. The eggs of Toxocara spp. were found in 20.4% of parks, 10% of shelters and 5% of rural samples. Mean egg density per sample from Prague parks was 6.2 eggs/100g of soil. In 126 composite samples from children's and pits, the prevalence of Toxocara eggs was 11.90%. The number of eggs in positive samples varied from 2 to 22 (per 100g). A high proportion (46.9%) of eggs was fully embryonated. There was no difference between the sand pits with or without formal exclusion of dogs (chi(2)=0.6, d.f.=1 and p<0.0001).     

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia spp. in the pig production

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia spp. in a total of 1,040 faecal samples taken from animals at different ages from four farrowing and twelve fattening herds. In the farrowing unit, faeces were collected from 68 sows (faecal samples) and 256 suckling piglets (rectal swab samples). Further samples were collected from 362 growing and 354 finishing pigs (rectal swab samples). Additionally, 56 feed and environmental samples were collected. During the slaughtering process, 122 pigs and their carcasses respectively, were sampled three times. Finally, 86 meat and minced meat samples were taken from 34 retail stores. Campylobacter spp. were isolated in sows (33.8 %), piglets (80.9 %), growing (89.2 %) and finishing (64.7 %) pigs. Yersinia spp. were detected in growing (15.2 %) and finishing (13.3 %) pigs only. After twelve hours of chilling neither Campylobacter spp. nor Yersinia spp. were detected. In raw meat samples, Campylobacter spp. were isolated from one liver sample and Yersinia enterocolitica from two meat samples. Common slaughter techniques and hygiene procedures may be effective tools to reduce the risk of contamination and recontamination of meat products since Campylobacter spp. and Yersinia spp. were found only sporadically in raw meat samples.     

Circulation of Toxocara spp. in suburban and rural ecosystems in the Slovak Republic

Toxocara spp., the common roundworms of domestic and wild animals, are the causative agents of larval toxocarosis in humans. The migration of Toxocara larvae in men causes clinical syndrome, called larva migrans visceralis or larva migrans ocularis. The objective of the present work was to investigate the prevalence of toxocarosis in dogs, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and small mammals in the Slovak Republic. T. canis infection was diagnosed in 16.6% out of 145 dogs examined. Young animals showed significantly higher positivity (50.0%) than adults (12.4%). Coprological investigation of 310 red foxes showed 8.1% prevalence of T. canis, with higher occurrence in animals from rural conditions (8.6%) than from suburban environment (5.6%). Out of 710 small mammals examined, anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 7.7% of the animals. The most frequently seropositive species was Apodemus agrarius (15.9%). Seropositivity of small mammals from suburban localities was higher (10%) compared with rural areas (5.8%), with adult animals exhibiting higher seropositivity (8.0%) than subadults (6.8%). Our results have confirmed the importance of dogs, red foxes and small mammals in circulation of this serious helminthozoonosis in suburban and rural ecosystems.     

Seroepidemiology of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and leishmaniosis among dogs in Ankara, Turkey

Seroprevalence of five different Leptospira interrogans serovars, Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum in stray dogs in Ankara was investigated. A total of 116 dog sera collected from apparently healthy stray dogs were tested for L. interrogans serovars by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), for T. gondii antibodies by Sabin-Feldman dye test (SFDT), and for L. infantum antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Of the 116 dogs, 51 (43.96%) were seropositive for leptospirosis, 72 (62.06%) for T. gondii and 3 (2.58%) for L. infantum. No statistically significant difference was observed between male and female dogs in the seroprevalences of toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis (P>0.05), but statistically significant difference was observed among different age groups in the seroprevalences of toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis (P<0.05). Although the seroprevalence of L. infantum was low, asymptomatic animals should be considered as a reservoir for the spread of the disease.     

Renal involvement in mice experimentally infected with Toxocara canis embryonated eggs.

Histological examination of kidneys from mice experimentally infected with Toxocara canis embryonated eggs demonstrated the presence of a segmental or diffuse mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. Immunohistochemical studies established that renal alterations were associated with glomerular deposits of IgG, IgM and third component of complement (C3). These findings suggest that an immunomediated mechanism might possibly be involved in the genesis of kidney damage observed in mice infected with T. canis embryonated eggs.     

Parasitism of Toxocara canis larvae in Japanese quails by inoculation of the ascarid eggs.

The distribution of T. canis larvae and pathological changes caused by them were studied in Japanese quails orally inoculated with 1,500, 4,000 or 15,000 embryonated eggs. Larvae were distributed mainly in the liver and, to lesser extent, in the muscles, brain, eyes and other organs. The number of larvae varied from 7 to 3,346, and from 1 to 288 in the liver and muscles (breast and legs), respectively. A small number of larvae were also recovered from the heart, gizzard, brain and eyes. In the groups of quails inoculated with 4,000 or 15,000 eggs, small white foci were observed on the surface of the liver 6 or 12 hr after inoculation. Histopathological examinations revealed necrotic lesions, leukocytic infiltration, granuloma and nodular lesions. The pathological changes became more serious with the large size of inoculum and days after inoculation.     

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pigs in Shanghai, China

A survey on prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pigs at 12 farms in 8 suburban districts and 1 county of Shanghai was conducted under Sheather's sucrose flotation protocol and modified acid-fast stain methods from 2006 to 2009. A total of 2323 faecal samples were collected and Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 800 samples (34.4%). Cryptosporidium was found in all 12 pig farms. Significant variations of prevalence were observed in different farms ranging from 14.1% to 90.6%. A follow-up survey on a positive pig farm for 13 consecutive months revealed that the most serious infection of Cryptosporidium spp. in pigs happened in winter and spring, and the lowest infection season was summer. Cryptosporidium spp. infection was mainly found in piglets within 2 months and no infection was found among those pigs of 90-180 days of age. The genotype analyses were carried out through PCR-RFLP and partial sequences analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) in some of the positive samples. Cryptosporidium suis (57/69, 82.6%), Cryptosporidium pig genotype II (6/69, 8.7%) and mixed infection of above two species/genotype (6/69, 8.7%) were found to be the main species/genotype in pigs in Shanghai area.     

Prevalence of Toxocara cati and other parasites in cats' faeces collected from the open spaces of public institutions: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Toxocarosis is a worldwide parasitic infection that affects both cats and dogs. Toxocara cati (Schrank, 1788) syn.Toxocara mystax (Zeder, 1800) prevalence was studied in faeces from stray cats collected from the open spaces of public institutions of Buenos Aires city, both building and surrounding open spaces are fenced off. Of the 465 samples obtained from March to June of 2005, 58.3% were found to have parasite eggs. The following parasites were identified from the 271 positive samples: T. cati (61.2%), Cystoisospora spp. (20.3%), Trichuris spp. (17.0%), Toxascaris leonina (15.1%), Ancylostoma spp. (14%) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (2.6%). T. cati prevalence was 35.7% (95% confidence interval: 31.2–40.1), with a 42.2% single isolations. The most frequent combination was T. cati and Cystoisospora spp. (9%). More than half the areas studied showed over 40% prevalence. Seventy-one percent of the collected samples were fresh with a variable moist consistency and 29% were older with a dry consistency. A statistically significant association was found between sample consistency and presence of parasites (χ² = 10.81; p = 0.001) as also between sample consistency and presence of T. cati (χ² = 11.27; p = 0.0007). Moist consistencies were significantly different from the rest: consistency (wet or dry) versus parasites (z = 1.95; p = 0.02) (95% confidence interval: 0.004–0.203); consistency (wet or dry) versus T. cati (z = 3.25; p = 0.0006) (95% confidence interval: 0.075–0.254). The cat population that inhabits these public green spaces contaminates the environment, thus transforming them into dangerous spaces with a variable rate for the human population that spends time in these places.     

Prevalence and genetic characterization of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs in Iqaluit,Nunavut, Canada

There are few epidemiologic studies on the role of dogs in zoonotic parasitic transmission in the Circumpolar North. The objectives of this study were to: (a) estimate the faecal prevalence of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs; (b) investigate potential associations between the type of dog population and the faecal presence of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp.; and (c) describe the molecular characteristics of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs in Iqaluit, Nunavut. We conducted two cross‐sectional studies in July and September 2016. In July, the team collected daily faecal samples for 3 days from each of 20 sled dogs. In September, the team collected three faecal samples from each of 59 sled dogs, 111 samples from shelter dogs and 104 from community dogs. We analysed faecal samples for the presence of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. using rapid immunoassay and flotation techniques. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of target genes were performed on positive faecal samples. Overall, the faecal prevalence of at least one of the target parasites, when one faecal sample was chosen at random for all dogs, was 8.16% (CI: 5.52–11.92), and for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp., prevalence was 4.42% (CI: 2.58–7.49) and 6.12% (CI: 3.88–9.53), respectively. The odds of faecal Giardia spp. in sled dogs were significantly higher than those in shelter and community dogs (OR 10.19 [CI: 1.16–89.35]). Sequence analysis revealed that 6 faecal samples were Giardia intestinalis, zoonotic assemblage B (n = 2) and species‐specific assemblages D (n = 3) and E (n = 1), and five faecal samples were Cryptosporidium canis. Giardia intestinalis is zoonotic; however, Cryptosporidium canis is rare in humans and, when present, usually occurs in immunosuppressed individuals. Dogs may be a potential source of zoonotic Giardia intestinalis assemblage B infections in residents in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada; however, the direction of transmission is unclear.