First Sero-Molecular Diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. Infections in the Police Dogs and Their Trainers in Iran

PURPOSE

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Toxocara spp. are two types of parasites that can infect humans and various animals, including dogs. Police dogs and their trainers have a vital role in law enforcement, and their health and well-being are crucial for them to effectively carry out their duties. No study has yet been conducted on the prevalence of T. gondii and Toxocara spp. infections among police dogs and their trainers in Iran. The objective of this study was to determine the sero-molecular prevalence of T. gondii and Toxocara spp. infections in police dogs and their trainers in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

METHODS

In Tehran province, the anti-narcotics police have nearly 200 well-trained police dogs. Each dog is assigned a dedicated trainer and upon completing missions, is housed separately in a designated area. In the present study, a total of 150 samples were gathered. These included 50 blood samples from randomly selected police dogs, 50 fecal samples from the same dogs, and 50 blood samples from their trainers. The Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) was performed to detect T. gondii antibodies in dog blood samples and the ELISA system was utilized to identify anti-Toxoplasma and anti-Toxocara antibodies in the sera of the dog trainers. A specific segment of the SAG2 and ITS genes were amplified via nested-PCR in order to molecularly detect T. gondii in human blood samples and Toxocara spp. in dog fecal samples.

RESULTS

Regarding serological findings, the prevalence of T. gondii in dog and human blood samples was 4% (2/50) and 10% (5/50), respectively. According to reports, the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. in human blood samples was 6% (3/50). No statistically significant association was found between the prevalence of the examined parasites and variables (age, sex, and breed) in dogs, as well as the age variable in military personnel. Molecular findings showed that out of the 50 dog fecal samples and 50 human blood samples, there was no presence of Toxocara spp. and T. gondii, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the prevalence of parasitic infections helps public health officials assess the risk to human and animal populations. This information can guide the development of prevention and control measures to reduce the spread of these infections. Overall, the prevalence of parasitic infections, particularly T. gondii and Toxocara spp., in police dogs and their trainers remains uncertain and necessitates further in-depth research.

Management of Liver Hydatid Cysts: A Retrospective Analysis of 293 Surgical Cases from Southern Iran

Background

The current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic features and complications of liver hydatid cyst in patients who underwent surgery for cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Fars province, southern Iran.

Methods

A total of 293 patients who underwent surgery for liver hydatid cyst from 2004 to 2018 in Fars province, southern Iran, were retrospectively evaluated. The clinical records of patients were reviewed, and the demographic and clinical characteristics of each patient were assessed.

Results

Of the total of 293 cases, 178 (60.9%) were females and 115 (39.1%) were males. The mean age of the subjects was 37.22 (±20.55) years. The mean size of the liver hydatid cyst was 9.18 (±4.365) cm. Of the 293 patients studied, 227 (77.4%) had hydatid cysts only in the liver, while 55 (9.4%) had both liver and lung cysts. More than half of the liver cysts (65.9%) were located in the right portion of the liver (segment 5 to 8). Of the 293 cases, 52 (17.7%) underwent radical surgery, while 241 (82.3%) underwent conservative surgery. Recurrence of hydatid cyst was recorded in 46 (15%) of cases. Patients who were treated with radical surgery in comparison with those who had conservative surgery had a lower recurrence rate but a longer duration of hospital stay (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Recurrence remains as one of the major challenges in the management of hydatid cyst. Radical surgery reduces the chance of recurrence, although this procedure increases the length of hospital stay.

Screening of Cystic Echinococcosis and Toxocariasis in Urmia Municipal Workers, Northwest Iran

BACKGROUND

Echinococcus granulosus and Toxocara spp., the causative agents of hydatid cyst and toxocariasis in humans and animals, are zoonotic infections with medical and veterinary significance respectively.

AIM

Herein, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and cystic echinococcosis in Urmia municipal workers (gardeners and sweepers) in 2018 using ELISA assay.

OBJECTIVE

There is no precise report on the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and cystic echinococcosis in Urmia municipal workers using ELISA assay. Therefore, this study found an opportunity to investigate this subject.

METHODS

A total of 220 blood samples were obtained from municipal workers with an average age of 41.31 ± 9.42. Commercial anti-Toxocara canis and hydatid cyst ELISA kits were used to assess the seroprevalence rates.

RESULTS

Approximately, 14.5% and 2.3% of individuals were seropositive for toxocariasis and hydatidosis, respectively. Consuming unboiled milk and/or raw/uncooked meat and rural conditions are risk factors for toxocariasis. Regarding hydatidosis, consuming unwashed vegetables was the only statistically significant risk factor. Toxocara infection (p = 0.01), but not hydatid cyst (p = 0.05), is more prevalent among sweepers than municipal gardeners.

CONCLUSION

Due to the occupational condition of municipal workers, they are exposed to many infectious agents; thus, more researches should be done on these populations.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxocariasis among nomads in Boyer-Ahmad County, southwest Iran

BACKGROUND

Human toxocariasis is caused by the larval stage of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence and the risk factors associated with Toxocara infection in nomads of Boyer-Ahmad County in the southwest of Iran.

METHODS

A total of 968 blood samples were collected from nomads. A structured questionnaire, containing sociodemographic data, was completed for each participant. Sera were evaluated for anti-Toxocara antibodies, using the T. canis excretory-secretory antigens prepared from the second stage larvae, in an ELISA system.

RESULTS

Among the 968 participants, 220 (22.7%) were males and 748 (77.3%) were females; the mean age was 40.71 y. Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies were detected in 14 (1.4%) of the 968 nomads. The association between Toxocara infection and gender, age, contact with dogs, residential area and level of education were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the study revealed a low prevalence rate of toxocariasis in nomadic communities in southwest Iran. Geographic location and climatic conditions as well as the lifestyle and sociodemographic features of the participants may contribute to the low prevalence rate of Toxocara infection.

High Seroprevalence of Toxocara Infection among Mentally Retarded Patients in Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran

Mentally retarded individuals are more likely to become infected with soil-transmitted infections including toxocariasis. The current study aimed to determine the serostatus of toxocariasis among institutionalized mentally retarded individuals in Hormozgan Province, in the south of Iran. Subjects of the study were 117 mentally disabled individuals, including children and adults, maintained in a charity-based institution. Three millilitres of venous blood was taken from each subject. While sampling, demographic features of the subject were documented in a questionnaire. An ELISA system based on Toxocara larvae excretory-secretory antigens (TES) was utilized to detect anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies in the sera of the patients. The mean age of the subject was 27.6 (±12.31) years and consisted of 55 (47%) males and 62 (53%) females. Out of 117 cases, 33 (28.2%) were seropositive for toxocariasis. The seroprevalence was higher in females (37.1%) than males (18.2%), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Out of 117 subjects, 76 (64.9%) had severe and 41 (35.1%) had profound mental retardation. Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 18 (23.7%) patients with severe and 15 (35.6%) patients with profound mental retardation. The highest seroprevalence rate of toxocariasis (44.4%) was observed in the age group of ≤10 years followed by 21–30 years old (36.7%). No statistically significant association was seen between the age and also the duration of residency in the care center and seropositivity of toxocariasis (p > 0.05). The current study represents the high prevalence of toxocariasis in mentally retarded patients in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran. The elevated seroprevalence rate of toxocariasis in the current study indicates that these subjects constitute a high-risk group for Toxocara infection, which may be attributed to their behavioral patterns.

Seroprevalence, risk factors, and clinical symptoms of Toxocara spp. infection among children 3-15 years old in northern Iran

The World Health Organization has categorized toxocarosis as a neglected tropical disease despite its significant impact on high-risk groups such as children. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence, risk factors, and clinical symptoms of Toxocara spp. infection among children 3-15 years old in northern Iran. A total of 386 children were enrolled in the study. All serum samples were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies against Toxocara spp. infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, relevant risk factors and clinical symptom data were obtained using questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 24. The overall seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infection was found 2.85 % (11/386). However, Toxocara spp. infection was high for some risk factors, including eating soil (14.3 %), contacting cats (6.7 %), and consuming raw vegetables (3.7 %). However, there were no statistically significant differences regarding the risk factors and socio-demographic characteristics. Considering the clinical symptoms, Toxocara spp. infection was different in children with eosinophilia (20 %), ocular disorders (8.3 %), skin disorders (7.7 %), liver disorders (4.5 %), and stomach ache (4.2 %), although not statistically significant. The results revealed that the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infection was relatively low in children in northern Iran. It is suggested to conduct more studies in different parts of Iran to gain a deeper understanding of the toxocarosis seroprevalence and its status in high-risk groups such as children with asthma, hypereosinophilic syndrome, allergic skin disorders, and epilepsy.

Prevalence of toxocariasis and its related risk factors in humans, dogs and cats in northeastern Iran: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic infections in dogs and cats. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies and identify the epidemiological and clinical features and related risk factors of toxocariasis in the general population along with the prevalence of this infection in dogs and cats in northeast Iran.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, anti-Toxocara antibodies from 1150 urban and rural participants were examined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the stool specimens of 538 dogs and 236 cats were tested using the formalin-ether concentration technique. Sociodemographic data and related risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire and the data on clinical manifestations were obtained from personal health records.

RESULTS

Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected in 7.2% (83/1150) of the study population. Risk factors for seropositivity based on multivariable analysis were younger age (p=0.019), living in rural areas (p=0.048), occupations with high exposure risk to toxocariasis (p=0.001), contact with dogs or cats (p=0.003), contact with soil (p=0.001), history of geophagy (p=0.001) and the consumption of raw or undercooked liver (p=0.001). The prevalence of symptoms such as asthma, shortness of breath, blurred vision, abdominal pain and epilepsy were significantly higher in seropositive individuals compared with seronegative ones. Toxocara eggs were found in 15.1% (81/538) of dogs and 34.7% (82/236) of cats. A significant relationship was found between infection in dogs and cats and age, type, place of residence and anthelmintic consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of anti-Toxocara antibodies in the general population and the presence of confirmed infections in dogs and cats indicates exposure to Toxocara infection as a public health problem in northeast Iran.

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.

Seroepidemiology, modifiable risk factors and clinical symptoms of Toxocara spp. infection in northern Iran

Toxocariasis is one of the most important and widespread neglected tropical infectious diseases. We designed a cross-sectional study to assess the seroepidemiological aspects of toxocariasis among the general population in northern Iran. A total of 630 rural subjects were enrolled to participate in the study. The presence of anti-Toxocara immunoglobulin G (IgG) was tested using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A structured questionnaire was also used to evaluate the potential risk factors and related clinical signs/symptoms. The presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies was detected in 148 of the 630 rural subjects (23.5% [95% confidence interval {CI} 21.8 to 25.1]). By multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 2.89 [95% CI 1 to -8.3], p=0.04), eating improperly washed vegetables (OR 4.05 [95% CI 2.47 to 6.64], p<0.001), contact with dogs (OR 3.31 [95% CI 2.13 to 5.12], p<0.001) and exposure to soil (OR 3.56 [95% CI 2.13 to 5.13], p<0.001) were significantly associated with the seroprevalence of Toxocara. The clinical study also demonstrated that the seroprevalence of Toxocara infection was significantly associated with asthma (OR 3.78 [95% CI 1.63 to 8.75], p<0.001) and ophthalmic disorder (OR 1.83 [95% CI 1.04 to 3.21], p=0.034). The findings proved that residents of rural communities in tropical regions may be heavily exposed to Toxocara spp. We highly recommend more investigations in high-risk groups.

Seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara antibody among multiple sclerosis patients: a case-control study

Although previous studies have shown an association between parasitic infections and multiple sclerosis, the possible role of Toxocara infection on the etiology of multiple sclerosis has been overlooked. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies among patients with multiple sclerosis compared to healthy controls. Seventy patients with prior diagnosis of multiple sclerosis were selected as cases and 70 healthy matched individuals as controls. The presence of serum anti-Toxocara IgG antibody was investigated by ELISA technique. The Chi square test was used to test statistically significant differences for parametric data. A total of 140 serum samples were collected and analyzed. In the case and control groups, 20 (28.6%) and 8 (11.4%) participants had positive serum anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies, respectively, indicating a statistically significant difference (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.26-7.63; p value = 0.02). The seroprevalence rate was also higher among individuals with a history of contact with dogs (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.17-6.37; p value = 0.03).The results declare that a protective role of Toxocara canis against the development of multiple sclerosis is unlikely.