Brain food: rethinking food-borne toxocariasis.

Human toxocariasis is a neglected tropical disease, which is actually global in distribution and has a significant impact on global public health. The infection can lead to several serious conditions in humans, including allergic, ophthalmic and neurological disorders such as epilepsy. It is caused by the common roundworm species Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, with humans becoming accidentally infected via the ingestion of eggs or larvae. Toxocara eggs are deposited on the ground when infected dogs, cats and foxes defecate, with the eggs contaminating crops, grazing pastures, and subsequently food animals. However, transmission of Toxocara to humans via food consumption has received relatively little attention in the literature. To establish the risks that contaminated food poses to the public, a renewed research focus is required. This review discusses what is currently known about food-borne Toxocara transmission, highlighting the gaps in our understanding that require further attention, and outlining some potential preventative strategies which could be employed to safeguard consumer health.

Saccharomyces boulardii reduces the vertical transmission of Toxocara canis larvae in mice.

Probiotics have been shown to reduce the intensity of Toxocara canis infection in mice. However, larval transmission of this nematode also occurs via transplacental and transmammary routes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic on the vertical transmission of T. canis in Swiss mice. The mice received 107S. boulardii colony-forming units per gram of food. The supplementation began 15 days before mating and was maintained throughout pregnancy and lactation. The animals were inoculated with 300 T. canis embryonated eggs on the 14th day of pregnancy. The presence of larvae was examined in the organs of the females and their offspring. The examined organs included the following: brain, liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, spleen, eye, skeletal muscle (carcass) and mammary glands of lactating females. There was a 42% (P = 0.041) reduction in the number of larvae transmitted to offspring in the group that received probiotic-supplemented food (GI). Additionally, there was a 50% reduction (P = 0.023) in the number of larvae found in the brains of lactating offspring in the GI group. These results reveal the potential of S. boulardii probiotic use as an auxiliary method of controlling visceral toxocariasis.

A Rare Case of Congenitally Acquired Ocular Toxocariasis in A Five-Week-Old Infant.

PURPOSE: To report a case of strabismus in a five-week-old infant, likely secondary to a rare occurrence of congenitally acquired ocular toxocariasis. METHODS: Retrospective case report. RESULTS: A five-week-old male infant with left exotropia was referred to pediatric ophthalmology and to a vitreoretinal specialist. Fundoscopic examination revealed a granuloma with associated retinal folds and tractional retinal detachment typical for ocular toxocariasis. Serology revealed positivity for Toxocara antibodies, consistent with the clinical diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis. CONCLUSION: Ocular toxocariasis is typically thought to be secondary to acquired Toxocara infection secondary to fecal-oral transmission. In this case of early-onset strabismus secondary to ocular toxocariasis, it is hypothesized that this is a presentation of congenitally acquired toxocariasis.

A prospective seroepidemiological study of toxocariasis during early childhood in coastal Ecuador: potential for congenital transmission and risk factors for infection.

BACKGROUND: Although Toxocara spp. infection has a worldwide distribution, to our knowledge, no data from birth cohorts have been reported in published studies on the potential for congenital transmission and determinants of infection in early childhood. METHODS: We followed 290 mother-infant pairs from birth to 5 years of age through periodic collection of data and samples at birth, 7 and 13 months and 2, 3 and 5 years of age. Data on potential risk factors and confounders were collected by maternal questionnaire. Blood for plasma was collected from the mother at time of birth and periodically from the child for detection of anti-Toxocara spp. immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Stool samples were collected from the mother around the time of birth and periodically from the child for microscopic detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STH). Associations between potential risk factors and Toxocara spp. seroprevalence and seroconversion were estimated using multivariable logistic regression and generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Toxocara spp. seroprevalence was 80.7% in mothers and in children was 0%, 9.3%, 48.4%, 64.9%, and 80.9% at 7 months, 13 months, 2, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with increases in seroprevalence over the first 5 years of life in multivariable analyses were age [Odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39-2.27, P < 0001], male sex (female vs. male: OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48-0.89, P = 0.006), maternal ethnicity (non-Afro vs. Afro-Ecuadorian: OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47-0.91, P = 0.011), lower maternal educational and socioeconomic level, and childhood STH (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.51-3.47, P < 0.001). Seroconversion rates for infection were greatest at 2 years of age (3.8%/month). Factors associated significantly with seroconversion at 2, 3 or 5 years were childhood STH infection, male sex, and more frequent domestic cat exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our data, from an area of high Toxocara spp. endemicity, indicate no congenital transmission but high rates of seroconversion after 13 months of age reaching maternal levels of seroprevalence by 5 years of age. Factors associated with seroprevalence and seroconversion included STH infections, domestic cats, maternal ethnicity, male sex, STH infections, and markers of greater poverty.

Toxocara cati larval migration to mouse fetuses through transplacental infection.

To examine the Toxocara cati larval migration in mouse fetuses through vertical transmission, 7 pregnant mice were orally inoculated with 5000 embryonated eggs at day 4 and again with the same dose at day 9 of gestation (total 10,000 eggs / mouse). Seven non-pregnant mice of the same age were also inoculated likewise. All mice were necropsied 12 days after the first inoculation with eggs. The carcass, viscera, uterus, placenta and fetuses were individually removed and digested with pepsin for larval counts. Larvae were recovered from all pregnant and non-pregnant mice. The majority of the larvae were recovered from the carcass, and some from the viscera, uterus, placenta and fetuses. There were no differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant mice for the number of larvae in the carcass, viscera and uterus. Of a total of 103 fetuses from the 7 pregnant mice, larvae were recovered from 74 fetuses (71.8 %). The mean number of larvae recovered per infected fetus was 2.6 (n = 103), and the maximum number of larvae recovered in a fetus was 9. This study showed that most mouse fetuses were infected with T. cati larvae through intrauterine transmission, although the number of larvae was low. Since no significant difference in the number of larvae recovered from the pregnant and non-pregnant mice was observed, it is suggested that pregnancy does not directly affect the vertical transmission of T. cati larvae.

Status of human toxocariasis, a neglected parasitic zoonosis in Iran: a systematic review from past to current.

Although human toxocariasis can lead to serious complications including neurological, ocular and visceral complications, there is a lack of comprehensive epidemiological information about the seroprevalence of Toxocara species in humans. In the present study, we analysed and reviewed the overall seroprevalence of human toxocariasis in Iran. The data collection was systematically undertaken on published articles using the PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Scopus databases. A total of 27 studies from the past two decades reporting seroprevalence of human toxocariasis met our eligibility criteria. The pooled proportion of Toxocara infection was estimated as 6.58% (95% confidence interval = 3.98-9.77). A wide variation between different studies was observed (Q statistic = 799.37, df = 26, P < 0.0001, and I2 = 96.7%). The seroprevalence rate of toxocariasis in the Iranian population is relatively high; contamination of the environment by eggs from the host as well as from household dogs and cats should be blamed.

Toxocara: Protecting pets and improving the lives of people.

Toxocara sp. are zoonotic parasitic roundworms that cause infection and morbidity in both developed and developing countries. In humans, infection is thought to be most common in children, particularly those living in poverty, and usually results from consumption of soil contaminated with parasite eggs deposited by dog or cat faeces. Infection in humans results in different clinical manifestations, some more overt like visceral or ocular larva migrans and others more cryptic like neurocognitive delay. Despite its pervasiveness, toxocariasis has become a neglected infection. We review the dynamics of the human-animal interface in the context of this parasite, discuss the challenges in controlling transmission to humans, and cite key areas of research that could enable improved interventions. With political will and proper resource allocation, we propose that effective interventions are possible in the near term.

Visceral larval migrans of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in non-canid and non-felid hosts.

Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are considered the most ubiquitous gastrointestinal helminths in domesticated canids and felids. Ascarid eggs passed in the faeces of canids and felids in a suitable environment may remain infective for years and are capable of infecting not only canids and felids, but a large range of other vertebrate paratenic hosts, including man. Infection with Toxocara species also occurs following the ingestion of paratenic hosts containing infective larvae. As infective larvae are incapable of completing their lifecycle in these hosts, they instead travel to different parts of the body, sometimes inducing inflammatory responses, and in some cases remaining entrapped in the body for years. Migration routes depend on the host species; however, nearly all organs may be affected with varying quantities of larval burdens.

Presence of Toxocara spp. and Other Zoonotic parasites Ova in Children's Playground in Karaman, Turkey

Objective: Human toxocariosis (HT) is a widespread and neglected parasitic disease around the world and it is caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, a common nematode found in dogs and cats. Childiren are caught to HT after ingestion of embriyonated Toxocara spp. eggs via contaminated materials such as soil, hair and etc. The aim of this study is to investigate Toxocara spp. and other zoonotic parasites in children's playgrounds in Karaman province of Turkey. Methods: In total, 103 samples (68 sand soil, 26 soil and 9 stool) from 20 randomly selected children's playgrounds in May 2018 in Karaman province, were investigated. Samples were examined by flotation in saturated NaCl solution and parasite ova were diagnosed under the light microscope morphologically. Results: Of the 20 screened playgorunds, 11 [55%, confidence interval (CI=33.6-75.2)]and 27 analyzed sample (26.2%, CI=18.4-35.2) were positive one or more parasite species. While Toxocara spp. eggs were the most common species in total (19.4%, CI=12.6-27.8), taeniid (Taenia spp., Echinococcus spp.) eggs and Ancylostoma spp. eggs were found in seven (6.8%, CI=2.97-12.7) and one (0.97%, CI=0.05-4.21) samples respectively. Also, one soil sample was found to be contaminated with both Toxocara and taeniid eggs. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that children's playgrounds in Karaman may be a source for HT and other zoonotic infections. We advise to be fenced children's playgrounds in order to prevent pet animal's accessibility.

Canine gastrointestinal nematode transmission potential in municipal dog parks in the southeast United States.

Monthly canine parasite prophylactic products prevent not only adult heartworm infection, but also patent infections with specific gastrointestinal parasites. While most monthly products control and treat certain hookworm and roundworm infections, fewer are labeled for whipworm (Trichuris vulpis). Therefore, we hypothesized that fecal samples collected from municipal dog parks will have a greater prevalence of whipworm eggs compared to hookworm and roundworm eggs. In this study, canine fecal samples were collected from municipal dog parks in three southeastern states, with up to 20 fecal samples were collected from each park. A total of 200 fecal samples were obtained from dog parks in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. All fecal samples were examined for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths by a simple centrifugal flotation using sheather's sugar flotation solution. Of the 200 samples collected, 27% were positive for gastrointestinal helminths by fecal flotation. Of these infected fecal samples, 8.5%, 17%, and 1.5% contained whipworm, hookworm, and roundworm, respectively. However, the majority of hookworm-positive samples were collected from one park, whereas whipworm and roundworm samples were collected from multiple parks. These results could indicate that dogs are at risk of infection by all three parasites at dog parks, and that preventive strategies may need to be tailored not only to the specific region, but to specific infected dog parks.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of canine, feline and human Toxocara infections in sub-Saharan Africa.

Toxocariasis is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by Toxocara canis and T. cati. Toxocariasis and its etiological agents are of global public health importance, whose burden appears underestimated, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The diversity in the transmission routes of these parasites contributes to disease prevalence and often hinders disease control measures. This study aimed to review the epidemiological distribution of Toxocara infections in SSA region. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis). We identified 94 relevant, peer-reviewed articles, out of which, 75 articles were found eligible based on Toxocara infections in dogs, cats and humans. Overall, 27,102 samples were examined for T. canis in dogs, T. cati in cats and Toxocara serology in humans, out of which 6142 were positive for Toxocara infection: 3717 (13.7%) in dogs (faecal, 3487; necropsy, 180; hair, 50); 266 (1%) in cats (faecal, 101; necropsy, 165); and 2159 (8%) in humans (serology). Overall mean prevalences of 19% (95% confidence interval (CI): 14-23%), 9% (95% CI: 0-28%) and 36% (95% CI: 24-49%) were recorded in dogs, cats and humans, respectively. Substantial heterogeneity was observed between studies and subgroups (I2 = 99%, P < 0.01). Findings from the review showed that studies on the epidemiology of Toxocara infections in the SSA region are limited. We strongly recommend focused, collaborative and coordinated studies to determine Toxocara spp. prevalence in various hosts, including food animals and the environment, through a 'One Health' approach across SSA countries.

Parasitos zoonóticos em solos de praças públicas no município de Sousa, Paraíba / Zoonotic parasites in soils of public squares in the municipality of Sousa, Paraíba

Os espaços coletivos com grande circulação de pessoas e animais tutelados ou errantes, como as praças públicas, podem gerar um problema para a saúde pública, uma vez que os animais podem eliminar fezes contaminadas por parasitos nesses locais, desempenhando um importante papel epidemiológico na transmissão de zoonoses parasitárias. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a contaminação por parasitos zoonóticos em dez praças públicas da cidade de Sousa, Paraíba, bem como avaliar o melhor método de diagnóstico de infestação ambiental por estes parasitas. Foram feitas coletas de solo em cinco pontos diferentes de cada praça, por raspagem superficial em quadrantes delimitados por 15 cm, sendo coletados 200g da parte central de cada ponto. Os métodos de diagnósticos utilizados foram Flutuação Simples, Sedimentação Simples, Faust e Centrífugo-Flutuação em Solução de Sacarose. Das praças avaliadas, 90% (9/10) obtiveram pelo menos uma amostra positiva. O gênero de parasito mais frequente foi Ancylostoma spp., presente em 70% (7/ 10) das praças analisadas; seguido por Strongyloides spp., coccídeos e Taenia spp., em 40% (4/10); Toxocara spp.,em 30% (3/10); eCystoisospora spp. e Trichuris spp., em 10% (1/10). O método de Sedimentação Simples foi o mais eficaz, resultando em 44% (22/50) de amostras positivas. Os demais métodos não atingiram 15% de positividade. Concluiu-se que as praças públicas analisadas encontram-se altamente infestadas por parasitos zoonóticos, representando um risco a saúde pública no município de Sousa-PB.

Collective spaces with large circulation of people and animals domiciled or wandering, such as public squares, can generate a public health problem, since the animals can eliminate feces contaminated by parasites in these places, playing an important epidemiological role for zoonose transmission. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the contamination by zoonotic parasites in ten public squares of the city of Sousa, Paraíba, as well as to evaluate the best method for the diagnosis of environmental infestation by these parasites. Soil samples were collected at five different points of each square, by surface scraping in quadrants delimited by 15 cm, with 200g of the central part of each point being collected. The diagnostic methods used were Simple Flotation, Simple Sedimentation, Faust and Centrifugal-Fluctuation in Sucrose Solution. At least one positive sample in 90% (9/10) of the evaluated squares. The most frequent parasite genus was Ancylostoma spp., present in 70% (7/10) of the analyzed squares; followed by Strongyloides spp., coccidia and Taenia spp., in 40% (4/10); Toxocara spp., in 30% (3/10); and Cystoisospora spp. and Trichurisspp., in 10% (1/10). The Simple Sedimentation method was the most effective, resulting in 44% (22/50) of positive samples. The other methods did not reach 15% positivity. It was concluded that the analyzed public squares are highly infested by zoonotic parasites, representing a public health risk in the municipality of Sousa-PB.

A survey on Toxocara cati eggs on the hair of stray cats: A potential risk factor for human toxocariasis in Northeastern Iran.

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Toxocara eggs on the hair of stray cats. The total number of stray cats trapped and included in the trial was 167 that were collected weekly from different residential areas of Mashhad, in northeastern Iran, from November 2016 to December 2017. Among the 167 cats, 18 (10.8%) of them were positive to T. cati eggs in their hair. In the positive cats, 7 (39%) were adult, 1 (6%) was juvenile and 10 (55%) were kittens. Overall, the mean number of eggs from positive cats was 3.9 ± 1.7 eggs per gram (epg) of hair per cat with an average of 3.1 ± 1.4 in adults, 4.9 in juveniles and 4.3 ± 1.6 in kittens. In total, 39.9% of the eggs recovered were non-viable 35.5% were viable, 22.2% were embryonating and 2.3% were embryonated which embryonated eggs were found only in juveniles. Based on our data, kittens were responsible for 61.7% of the total number of eggs. The age of the cat was found to be an important risk factor associated with parasitic infection.. This study showed that cat hair contaminated by T. cati eggs in different developmental stages represents of potential source for human toxocariasis.

Survey of German pet owners quantifying endoparasitic infection risk and implications for deworming recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Dogs and cats can transmit zoonotic helminths to humans, e.g. Toxocara spp. and Echinococcus multilocularis. Strategic deworming may help minimize this risk. Studies in several European countries have shown that pets are dewormed less frequently against roundworms and tapeworms than recommended by the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP). The objective of this study was to identify percentages of dogs and cats falling into the different risk categories defined by the German ESCCAP guidelines and to evaluate whether deworming frequency and parasite monitoring in Germany follows these guidelines. RESULTS: According to questionnaire results from 500 dog and 500 cat owners, deworming of dogs in Germany averages 2.07 times/year while for cats this average is 1.72 times/year. In contrast, evaluation of risk factors placed only 2% (10/500) of dogs in ESCCAP category A with a recommended deworming/examination frequency of 1-2 times per year, while 4.8% (24/500) were placed in category B (4 treatments/examinations per year recommended), 30.8% (154/500) in category C (12 treatments/examinations per year against tapeworms and 4 treatments/examinations per year against roundworms recommended) and 62.4% (312/500) in category D (12 treatments/examinations per year recommended). All cats were placed either in risk group A [52.8% (264/500)] or D [47.2% (236/500)]. Generalized linear models indicated that risk group D cats were treated significantly more often against helminths than risk group A cats. There were no significant differences in deworming frequency between risk groups in dogs. The most important factor influencing deworming frequency was the frequency of veterinary visits. Dogs and cats were treated significantly more often if owners visited their veterinarian more than once yearly. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage distribution of risk groups considerably varied between dogs and cats. Nevertheless, 62% of dogs and 47% of cats were assigned to category D for which monthly treatments/examinations are recommended by the ESCCAP guidelines. Veterinarians play a key role in instructing pet owners with regard to helminthoses and their prevention, and should take the time for adequate risk assessments. The reported low deworming frequencies despite the high potential parasite infection risk suggests that pet owner advice through veterinarians needs to be improved.

[Epistemological analysis of the scientific knowledge about Toxocara sp. with the emphasis on human infection]. / Análise epistemológica dos conhecimentos científicos sobre Toxocara sp. com ênfase na infecção humana.

The scope of this article was to analyze the evolution of knowledge about Toxocara sp. from a zoonotic point of view by means of scientific data published between the years 1996 and 2015 using epistemology as a tool. The epistemological analysis of the evolution of knowledge on the zoonotic aspect of Toxocara sp. in Brazil revealed that, in general, little new information was added which had, over the period studied, slow and discontinuous absorption, and was not incorporated in the social reality from the standpoint of public health.

Este artigo objetivou analisar a evolução do conhecimento sobre Toxocara sp. em seu aspecto zoonótico por meio de dados científicos entre os anos de 1996 a 2015 utilizando a epistemologia como ferramenta. A análise epistemológica da evolução do conhecimento sobre o aspecto zoonótico de Toxocara sp. no Brasil demonstrou que, de uma maneira geral, foram agregadas poucas novas informações as quais tiveram, ao longo do período estudado, absorção lenta, descontínua, e não foram inseridas na realidade social do ponto de vista de Saúde Pública.

Prevalence of Toxocara eggs in the soil of public parks of Khorramshahr city, southwest Iran

Human toxocarosis is a chronic zoonotic disease, which creates various syndromes in humans such as visceral larva migrans, ocular larva migrans, and neurological toxocarosis. This disease is commonly contracted through ingestion of eggs from the Toxocara species. The eggs are transmitted to humans through contact with soil that contaminated with feces of infected animals by Toxocara species worm. This study, investigated the soil from various parks and public areas of Khorramshahr city southwest of Iran for Toxocara egg contamination. One-hundred and fifty soil samples were collected from 21 parks and green public areas from April to July 2018 and examined by the modified floatation method using saturated sucrose solution. The Toxocara eggs were isolated in 27 (18%) out of 150 samples collected. Based on Chi-square test, none of the factors: location of sampling (in city and the suburb), the presence of dogs and cats and the size of the sampling location; was not significant difference by soil contamination by Toxocara eggs. The presence of Toxocara eggs in Khorramshahr parks soil and green public areas is one of the main risk factors for catch the toxocarosis. This is important to develop preventive measures in the city and suburb areas to reduce the Environmental contaminations and thus reduce the incidence of disease in humans.

Análise epistemológica dos conhecimentos científicos sobre Toxocara sp. com ênfase na infecção humana / Epistemological analysis of the scientific knowledge about Toxocara sp. with the emphasis on human infection

Resumo Este artigo objetivou analisar a evolução do conhecimento sobre Toxocara sp. em seu aspecto zoonótico por meio de dados científicos entre os anos de 1996 a 2015 utilizando a epistemologia como ferramenta. A análise epistemológica da evolução do conhecimento sobre o aspecto zoonótico de Toxocara sp. no Brasil demonstrou que, de uma maneira geral, foram agregadas poucas novas informações as quais tiveram, ao longo do período estudado, absorção lenta, descontínua, e não foram inseridas na realidade social do ponto de vista de Saúde Pública.

Abstract The scope of this article was to analyze the evolution of knowledge about Toxocara sp. from a zoonotic point of view by means of scientific data published between the years 1996 and 2015 using epistemology as a tool. The epistemological analysis of the evolution of knowledge on the zoonotic aspect of Toxocara sp. in Brazil revealed that, in general, little new information was added which had, over the period studied, slow and discontinuous absorption, and was not incorporated in the social reality from the standpoint of public health.

Survey of European pet owners quantifying endoparasitic infection risk and implications for deworming recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Zoonotic endoparasites pose risks to pets and people. The European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) created risk groupings for dogs (A-D) and for cats (A-B), with the highest risk pets (Group D dogs and Group B cats) receiving the most frequent testing and/or deworming recommendations. Little information exists on current deworming behaviours across Europe, alignment to accepted guidelines and the percentage of dogs and cats falling into ESCCAP groups. The study objectives were to evaluate the reported infection-risk behaviours of dogs and cats and assesses whether deworming frequency reported by pet owners complied with recommended deworming frequencies. METHODS: A total of 5001 pet owners from five different countries (France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK) were surveyed regarding endoparasite infection risk and the frequency of deworming of dogs and cats. For the purposes of this study, ESCCAP risk groups for cats (A-B) were converted into four risk groups (A-D) using the additional risk factors outlined in the ESCCAP guidelines. This allowed direct comparison between cats and dogs as well as grouped higher risk cats into the appropriate deworming frequency. RESULTS: The three most common risk factors identified for dogs were contact with: other dogs, snails or prey; children or the elderly; going off lead outside their own garden. 85-98% of all dogs had risks putting them into Group D, the highest risk group. The three most common risk factors identified for cats were: hunting; catching prey; contact with children or the elderly. Using these revised groups, 33-68% of cats were in Group D. Despite the majority of dogs and cats falling into a risk category where ESCCAP recommends monthly deworming, dogs and cats averaged 2.3 and 2.2 dewormings per year, respectively. This frequency was less than the four times a year dosing frequency demonstrated to be required to reduce zoonotic Toxocara spp. ova shedding. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 93% of dogs and 54% of cats fell into Group D, the highest risk group. Deworming frequencies were considerably less than recommended by ESCCAP or required to both reduce zoonotic risk and improve pet health. Improved treatment compliance is needed.

Dog walking brings Toxocara eggs to people's homes.

To find out the transmission routes for Toxocara infection, the possibility of transfer of Toxocara eggs from the soil on the paws of animals and on the shoes of people was explored. For this purpose, a study was conducted to find helminth eggs in washings from the paws of dogs after walking, from the shoes of their owners, as well as non-dog owners. Toxocara eggs were detected in 19.4% of the dogs' paws washings and in 11.4% of washings from the shoes of their owners. The number of eggs found on the paws was about twice as high as on the shoes. The mean number of eggs in the sample was 2.9 in washings from the paws and 1.8 from the shoes. In the samples, Toxocara cati eggs prevailed both in occurrence and in abundance. Out of the total number of positive samples, the eggs of T. cati were found in 83%, and T. canis in 42%. 79% of the found eggs belonged to T. cati and 21% to T. canis. In the washings from shoes of people that do not own dogs, the eggs of parasites were not found. This study demonstrates that the helminth eggs can be transferred from contaminated soil to people's homes on the paws and shoe soles. Even animals without a patent infection may take part in propagation of infection causing risks of human toxocariasis. In dogs, in addition, the transferred on paws T. canis eggs can serve as a causative agent of permanent, cumulative subclinical infection with a deferred manifestation in posterity. It is supposed that infestation "through the paws" is one of the probable routes of transmission of toxocariasis in dogs.