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Ebrahimipour M, Parsa H, Kianifard N, Nasibi S, Rostami A. Understanding the research and practical needs required to control toxocariasis in Iran. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2024; 25:e00351. [PMID: 38708129 PMCID: PMC11067375 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Human toxocariasis (HT) is a widespread zoonotic infection globally, notably prevalent in tropical areas. Enhancing our understanding of toxocariasis can lead to increased attention towards the socioeconomic impact and control of this neglected zoonosis. We conducted a comprehensive review of all available articles and official documents on toxocariasis in Iran to identify research gaps and critical needs for its control. This review highlights that despite numerous studies exploring various aspects of toxocariasis in definitive and paratenic hosts, as well as humans and environmental contamination, significant data deficiencies and gaps persist across different regions in the country. These gaps involve investigating the worm burden and reinfection rates in definitive hosts, developing more sensitive methods to detect and differentiate of Toxocara species, and understanding the behavior of definitive host animals. Additionally, identifying potential paratenic hosts for HT and exploring the organ-specific affinity and survival duration of Toxocara larvae within these hosts are essential areas for exploration. It's also imperative to comprehend the sylvatic and domestic cycles of the parasite in paratenic hosts. Furthermore, assessing egg density in the environment, exploring potential new sources such as water, and identifying regions with optimal climatic conditions for the survival and development of Toxocara eggs are crucial for the formulation of effective prevention and control strategies. Identifying at-risk groups, developing early diagnosis techniques, employing imaging methods, and identifying long-term complications in humans are also crucial. Community health organizations should prioritize health education for the public and professionals. Furthermore, accurately estimating definitive host populations, monitoring and preventing their movements in public places, implementing regular deworming practices for pets and stray hosts, and recognizing the infection's significance as a health priority are critical. This comprehensive understanding advocates for a holistic "one health" approach to control of HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ebrahimipour
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Parsa
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazanin Kianifard
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Nasibi
- Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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2
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Okada N, Ooi HK, Taira K. Toxocara tanuki larval distribution in mice and the infectivity of tissue larvae. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:1327-1332. [PMID: 37046027 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Toxocara tanuki is a common large roundworm in raccoon dogs. Experimental infection studies of T. tanuki in mice were conducted to clarify the distribution and infectivity of larvae in tissue. Groups of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice (n = 5 mice/group) were each inoculated with 1000 embryonated T. tanuki eggs and necropsied at 7, 31, 91, and 182 days post inoculation (dpi). The number of larvae in the central nervous system, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and carcass was examined. Larvae obtained from the aforementioned mice on different days of the necropsy were orally inoculated into four groups of ICR mice (n = 6 mice/group) that were then necropsied at 21 dpi. Larvae were recovered from all mice. In the BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, most of the larvae (> 88.7%) were recovered from the liver and the remainder from other tissues. The total number of larvae recovered from C57BL/6 mice was significantly higher than that from BALB/c mice, but no difference in the relative larval distribution within the viscera between the two mouse strains was observed. The mean recovery percentage of larvae from ICR mice infected with 182-day-old tissue larvae was 3.3%. Our findings showed that T. tanuki larvae migrated predominantly to the liver of mice and that the larvae maintained their infectivity for at least half a year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuki Okada
- Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Hong-Kean Ooi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Kensuke Taira
- Laboratory of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan.
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan.
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3
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Magnaval JF, Bouhsira E, Fillaux J. Therapy and Prevention for Human Toxocariasis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020241. [PMID: 35208697 PMCID: PMC8875715 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
For the last four decades, knowledge about human toxocariasis with regard to its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical spectrum, and imaging or laboratory diagnosis has substantially progressed. Knowledge about specific therapy with anthelmintics has lagged behind. To date, only four drugs are registered for human use, and their efficacy has rarely been assessed in prospective controlled trials. It is likely that the repurposing of potent anthelmintics from veterinary medicine will improve this situation. Due to its wide availability and a lack of major side effects during short regimens, albendazole has become the drug of choice. However, its efficacy should be more precisely assessed. The role of anthelmintics in the treatment of neurological or ocular toxocariasis remains to be clarified. Prophylactic measures in humans or companion animals are efficient and represent first-line treatments for the control of this zoonosis. Unfortunately, their implementation in areas or countries where toxocariasis epidemiology is driven by poverty is quite difficult or unrealistic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Magnaval
- Service de Parasitologie Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Toulouse, 37 Allées Jules-Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Emilie Bouhsira
- Service de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France;
| | - Judith Fillaux
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Hôpital Purpan, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, 330 Avenue de Grande-Bretagne, 31059 Toulouse, France;
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4
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Abstract
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.
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Detection of Toxocara cati Larvae from Ostrich and Wild Boar Meat Intended for Human Consumption. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101290. [PMID: 34684239 PMCID: PMC8537866 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxocara cati is a common roundworm of cats and wild felids and, together with T. canis, it is the main causative agent of human toxocariasis. Humans may become infected by ingestion of embryonated eggs via contaminated soil, food, or water, or by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat of paratenic hosts that are infected by Toxocara larvae. In this study, we report the detection of T. cati larvae from meat samples of ostriches and wild boars. These samples were inspected by enzymatic digestion, as part of the trichinellosis surveillance. As ostrich meat is intended for “carpaccio” preparation, a traditional Italian raw meat preparation, there is the need to make the consumption of this meat safe. For this purpose, it is recommended to freeze the meat before preparation. Our findings confirmed that T. cati larvae can contaminate muscle tissues of paratenic hosts, increasing the risk of infection due to the consumption of raw or undercooked meat.
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de Oliveira EA, Merigueti YFFB, Ferreira IB, Garcia IS, Pereira AS, Santos RDS, Kmetiuk LB, dos Santos AP, Biondo AW, Giuffrida R, Santarém VA. The Role of Nile Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus) in the Life Cycle of Toxocara spp. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:685911. [PMID: 34222405 PMCID: PMC8245787 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.685911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to experimentally assess Nile tilapia as potential paratenic host of Toxocara spp. A total of 15 Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were fed with 300 embryonated Toxocara canis eggs by oral gavage, while five others of the control group received distilled water. The fish were individually analyzed at 16, 24, 48, 72, and 240 h after inoculation. Water contamination was assessed, and tissue migration by liver, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), eyes, and central nervous system. A murine model was used as the paratenic host for egg infectivity assessment. Eggs and larvae were found in plastic tank water and fish GIT, ranging from 23 to 86% per fish. Eggs and larvae were recovered from the tank water (76.3%) and fish GIT (23.7%). The counting of eggs and larvae observed was negatively correlated with number of eggs and larvae in the water tank (rho = -0.698, p = 0.003). Shedding of embryonated eggs was first detected at 16 and up to 240 h, with significant egg and larvae yield decrease on water-shedding (p = 0.001) and in the GIT (p = 0.007). Although no T. canis larva was recovered in fish tissues, egg infectivity after fish GIT transit was experimentally confirmed by mice assessment. In conclusion, despite shedding viable embryonated eggs through the gastrointestinal tract, tilapias may not play a role as a suitable paratenic hosts for Toxocara spp., posing low risk of zoonotic transmission by fish meat consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Isabella Braghin Ferreira
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, São Paulo Western University, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
| | - Isabele Santos Garcia
- Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, São Paulo Western University, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
| | - Alini Soriano Pereira
- Laboratory of Pisciculture, Zootechny Teaching Aquaculture, São Paulo Western University, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
| | - Rosemeire de Souza Santos
- Laboratory of Pisciculture, Zootechny Teaching Aquaculture, São Paulo Western University, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Graduate College of Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Andrea Pires dos Santos
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | | | - Rogerio Giuffrida
- Graduate College in Animal Science, São Paulo Western University, Presidente Prudente, Brazil
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Hanh NTL, Lee YL, Lin CL, Chou CM, Cheng PC, Quang HH, Fan CK. Evidence for Asthma in the Lungs of Mice Inoculated with Different Doses of Toxocara canis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:2305-2314. [PMID: 32975177 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxocara canis, a common roundworm that mainly causes toxocariasis, is a zoonotic parasite found worldwide. Humans, an accidental host, can acquire T. canis infection through accidental ingestion of T. canis-embryonated egg-contaminated food, water, and soil, and by encapsulated larvae in a paratenic host's viscera or meat. Long-term residence of T. canis larvae in a paratenic host's lungs may induce pulmonary inflammation that contributes to lung injury, airway inflammatory hyperresponsiveness, and collagen deposition in mice and clinical patients. This study intended to investigate the relationship between T. canis infection and allergic asthma in BALB/c mice inoculated with high, moderate, and low doses of T. canis eggs for a 13-week investigation. The airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine, collagen deposition, cytokine levels, and pathological changes in lung tissues was assessed in infected mice at weeks 1, 5, and 13 postinfection. The cell composition in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of infected mice was assessed at weeks 5 and 13 postinfection. Compared with uninfected control mice, all groups of T. canis-infected mice exhibited significant AHR, a dose-dependent increase in eosinophilic infiltration leading to multifocal interstitial and alveolar inflammation with abundant mucus secretion, and collagen deposition in which the lesion size increased with the infective dose. Infected mice groups also showed significant expressions of eotaxin and type 2 T-helper-dominant cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Overall, these results suggest that T. canis larval invasion of the lungs may potentially cause pulmonary inflammatory injury and could subsequently contribute to the development of allergic manifestations such as asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Thi Lien Hanh
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Quy Nhon, Ministry of Health, Vietnam.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Lun Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Lun Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Mei Chou
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Ching Cheng
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huynh Hong Quang
- Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Quy Nhon, Ministry of Health, Vietnam
| | - Chia-Kwung Fan
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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8
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Ikotun K, Sowemimo O, Chou CM, Ajenifuja K, Chuang TW, Asaolu S, Akinwale O, Gyang V, Nwafor T, Henry E, Fan CK. High seroprevalence of Toxocara antibodies in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic at a university hospital in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 114:301-307. [PMID: 31925444 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trz116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human toxocariasis is a neglected zoonotic disease and its impact on human health is underestimated. Studies investigating the occurrence of toxocariasis in pregnancy are very scarce in Nigeria. This study investigated the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. antibodies as well as the possible risk factors in pregnant women who routinely attended an antenatal clinic in a university hospital in Ile-Ife, Osun state. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 413 participating pregnant women between October 2017 and February 2018. Epidemiological data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. The sera were screened for anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies by western blot technique based on Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory antigens, targeting low molecular weight bands of 24-35 kDa, specifically for T. canis infection. RESULTS The overall seroprevalence was 92.49% (382/413). There was no significant difference in the seroprevalence rate of Toxocara spp. infection between pregnant women aged ≤30 y and those aged >30 y (91.63 vs 93.33%; OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.61 to 2.67, p=0.511). The seroprevalence rate increased with the number of miscarriages but there was no statistical significance (p>0.05). Moreover, no significant associations were found between Toxocara spp. seropositivity and other studied risk factors (p>0.05). CONCLUSION The high seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. in pregnant Nigerian women needs comprehensive health education regarding personal hygiene and how to avoid exposure to this parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemisola Ikotun
- Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Oluyomi Sowemimo
- Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Chia-Mei Chou
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Kayode Ajenifuja
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology And Perinatology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Ting-Wu Chuang
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Tropical Medicine Division, International PhD Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,PhD Program in Global Health and Health Security, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Samuel Asaolu
- Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Olaoluwa Akinwale
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Vincent Gyang
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Timothy Nwafor
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel Henry
- Molecular Parasitology Research Laboratory, Department of Public Health, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria
| | - Chia-Kwung Fan
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Tropical Medicine Division, International PhD Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,PhD Program in Global Health and Health Security, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Wu T, Bowman DD. Visceral larval migrans of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in non-canid and non-felid hosts. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 109:63-88. [PMID: 32381221 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United states
| | - Dwight D Bowman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
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Nijsse R, Overgaauw P, Ploeger H, Mughini-Gras L. Sources of environmental contamination with Toxocara spp.: An omnipresent parasite. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 109:585-614. [PMID: 32381219 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Embryonated Toxocara eggs in the environment are considered to be the most important source of human toxocariasis. These eggs, however, are also a source of infection for the definitive and paratenic hosts. Most available literature focuses on Toxocara canis in dogs, or other canids. There are, however, other Toxocara species with their accompanying definitive hosts. Results from studies that modelled patent infections in dogs, cats and foxes show that although dogs are a very important source for environmental contamination with Toxocara eggs, other sources cannot be ignored. For a good understanding of the relative contributions of different definitive hosts to environmental contamination with Toxocara eggs, computational models should be built and fed with data from different fields of expertise as is discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Nijsse
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Paul Overgaauw
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Harm Ploeger
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lapo Mughini-Gras
- Division of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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11
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Fan CK. Pathogenesis of cerebral toxocariasis and neurodegenerative diseases. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 109:233-259. [PMID: 32381200 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Toxocara canis belongs to one of zoonotic parasites that commonly infects canines worldwide, and its eggs in host faeces may contaminate the food, water, soil and their fur as well as the larvae entrapped in the granuloma can infect paratenic hosts including mice and humans. Survivability of T. canis embryonated eggs under moist, cool conditions may be as long as 2-4 years or more. In paratenic hosts such as mice and humans, T. canis L3 larvae neither moult, grow, nor replicate and will wander through a number of internal organs in humans so as to cause Th2-dominant pathology in various internal organs as leading to neurotoxocariasis (NT), ocular toxocariasis (OT), or visceral larva migrans (VLM). Although the systemic immune response to T. canis has been widely reported, the immune response in the brain has received little attention. Differential cytokine expression and other brain injury-associated biomarkers or neurodegeneration-associated factors have been observed in infected versus uninfected outbred and inbred mice. Preliminary data have also suggested a possible link between significant memory impairment and cytokine production associated with T. canis infection in the hippocampus which has been long recognised as being responsible for learning and memory functions. Notably, it remains an enigma concerning cerebral invasion by T. canis larvae rarely induces a recognisable neurological syndrome or its involvement in neuropathological disorders in humans. Exploration of the relationship between host and parasite in the brain may elucidate the cryptic symptoms of human cerebral toxocariasis, with patients presenting with mental retardation, epilepsy, neurodegeneration and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Kwung Fan
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Research Center of International Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Tropical Medicine Division, International PhD Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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12
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Baalbaki M, El Najjar M, Atweh S, El Ayoubi NK. Toxocara infection in the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in the Middle East. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin 2020; 6:2055217319855757. [PMID: 35145728 PMCID: PMC8822452 DOI: 10.1177/2055217319855757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A critical step in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is to rule out a heterogeneous variety of multiple sclerosis mimickers, which is crucial in the era of powerful immune-modulator treatments. In this review, we discuss the background of toxocariasis in general, present central nervous system Toxocara infection as one of the multiple sclerosis mimickers in the Middle East, and share our experience about the diagnosis and management of this condition. This entity seems very relevant in a region such as the Middle East, where displacement of populations and conflict can result in non-hygienic food and water management bundles. The diagnosis should be entertained, especially when assessing patients with myelopathy. The presence of a single lesion in the spinal cord with inflammatory features should prompt serological testing for Toxocara IgG and IgM in serum and the cerebrospinal fluid. This infection is treatable, with the regimen of high-dose albendazole being one of the most accepted treatments. Although most cases exhibit a good prognosis, some have residual deficits localized to the affected spinal cord level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mayssam El Najjar
- Nehme and Therese Tohme Multiple Sclerosis Center, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
| | - Samir Atweh
- Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon
| | - Nabil K El Ayoubi
- American University of Beirut, Cairo street, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon
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13
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Dispersion and infectivity of Toxocara canis eggs after passage through chicken intestine. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:3481-3486. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-6045-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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14
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Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxocara infection in Korean, Manchu, Mongol, and Han ethnic groups in northern China. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:3101-3107. [PMID: 27457773 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816001631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a very prevalent zoonotic disease worldwide. Recently, investigators have focused more on Toxocara spp. seroprevalence in humans. Information regarding Toxocara seroprevalence in people from different ethnic backgrounds in China is limited. For this study, blood samples were collected from a total of 802 Han, 520 Korean, 303 Manchu, and 217 Mongol subjects from Jilin and Shandong provinces. The overall Toxocara seroprevalence was 16·07% (14·21% Han, 20·58% Korean, 11·22% Manchu, 18·89% Mongol). Living in suburban or rural areas, having dogs at home, exposure to soil, and consumption of raw/undercooked meat were risk factors for Toxocara infection. Exposure to soil was identified as the major risk factor for Toxocara seropositivity in all of the tested ethnicities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report concerning Toxocara infection in Manchus and Mongols in China. The present study provided baseline data for effective prevention strategies of toxocariasis in northeast China and recommends improvements in personal hygiene standards to achieve this goal.
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Abstract
PURPOSE Toxocariasis is a widespread zoonosis, which may result in central nervous system injury. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature review in MEDLINE, SciELO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar up to April 2015 using a combination of the following search terms: "neurotoxocariasis" or "neurotoxocarosis", "toxocariasis" or "toxocarosis" and "cerebral" or "neurologic". RESULTS One hundred cases of neurotoxocariasis were identified in literature. The majority of patients were male (58 %), with a median age of 42 years. The predominant clinical pictures were myelitis (60 %), encephalitis (47 %) and/or meningitis (29 %). Fever was inconstant (23 %). The suspected mode of transmission, mentioned in only 49 % of cases, was mainly contact with dogs and/or cats (67 %) and ingestion of contaminated food (31 %). Diagnostic imaging examinations found hypodense lesions in cerebral scanner sequences and hyperintense lesions in cerebral MRI T2-weighted sequences in 65 and 57 % of encephalitis cases respectively, and in 92 % of myelitis cases in medullary MRI T2-weighted sequences. The detection of antibodies against Toxocara spp. was almost constant in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 99 and 93 %, respectively. The two most commonly used drugs were corticosteroids (72 %) and/or albendazole (68 %) for a period of at least 3 weeks, which often needed to be repeated. Despite a low mortality rate (6 %), complete remission was observed in only 40 % of cases. CONCLUSIONS Neurotoxocariasis, a completely preventable zoonosis, could lead to severe sequelae failing prompt diagnosis. A compatible clinical picture, presence of risk factors, blood eosinophilia and high titers of antibodies against Toxocara spp. in CSF should alert physicians.
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Choi JK, Lee JW, Park YH, Kim SH. Eosinophilic Meningitis Associated with Toxocariasis. JOURNAL OF NEUROCRITICAL CARE 2015. [DOI: 10.18700/jnc.2015.8.2.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Abstract
Toxocara canis and T. cati are highly prevalent nematode infections of the intestines of dogs and cats. In paratenic hosts, larvae do not mature in the intestine but instead migrate through the somatic tissues and organs of the body. The presence of these migrating larvae can contribute to pathology. Toxocara larvae can invade the brains of humans, and while case descriptions of cerebral toxocariasis are historically rare, improved diagnosis and greater awareness have contributed to increased detection. Despite this, cerebral or neurological toxocariasis (NT) remains a poorly understood phenomenon. Furthermore, our understanding of cognitive deficits due to toxocariasis in human populations remains particularly deficient. Recent data describe an enhanced expression of biomarkers associated with brain injury, such as GFAP, AβPP, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), NF-L, S100B, tTG, and p-tau, in mice receiving even low doses of Toxocara ova. Finally, this review outlines a hypothesis to explore the relationship between the presence of T. canis larvae in the brain and the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to enhanced AD-associated neurodegenerative biomarker expression.
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Campos-da-Silva DR, da Paz JS, Fortunato VR, Beltrame MAV, Valli LCP, Pereira FEL. Natural infection of free-range chickens with the ascarid nematode Toxocara sp. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:4289-93. [PMID: 26319520 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4669-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Human toxocariasis may be acquired by eating raw chicken liver. However, there are no reports on the prevalence of natural infection of chickens with Toxocara. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies as indicators of natural infection with Toxocara, in free-range chickens from Espírito Santo State, Brazil. An ELISA test with secretory and excretory Toxocara canis antigens was used. Negative controls were 20 industrial chickens reared in a high hygiene standard environment. Positive control serum was from a chicken infected with embryonated eggs of T. canis. Sera were adsorbed with Ascaridia galli extract to reduce cross-reactivity. Cut-off was the mean plus four times the standard deviation of optical density (OD) in negative group. One hundred and fifty-seven sera from free-range chicken were investigated. Results showed 58.5% of the chickens were positive with ELISA test; 12.7% had OD over the positive control and may be considered as true infected chickens. The results between the cut-off and the positive control may include infections with low titers of antibodies or may represent serum scar of past infection or may be the result of cross-reaction with other nematodes rather than A. galli which is used for the adsorption of sera. In conclusion, high prevalence of Toxocara sp. antibodies demonstrates natural infection of free-range chickens from Espírito Santo State which may represent a risk of infection with this nematode in people who have the habit of eating raw or undercooked chicken meat or viscera. The results also suggest that chickens may be useful as sentinels to detect soil contaminated with Toxocara eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle R Campos-da-Silva
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vila Velha University, Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo, n°21, Boa Vista, 29102-770, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
| | - Jeanne S da Paz
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vila Velha University, Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo, n°21, Boa Vista, 29102-770, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
| | - Viviane R Fortunato
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vila Velha University, Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo, n°21, Boa Vista, 29102-770, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
| | - Marcus A V Beltrame
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Vila Velha University, Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo 21, Boa Vista, 29102-770, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
| | - Luis C P Valli
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vila Velha University, Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo, n°21, Boa Vista, 29102-770, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil
| | - Fausto E L Pereira
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vila Velha University, Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo, n°21, Boa Vista, 29102-770, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil.
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos 1468, 29100, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do E Santo, Av. Marechal Campos 1468, 29100, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.
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FU CJ, KAO CY, LEE YL, LIAO CW, CHEN PC, CHUANG TW, WANG YC, CHOU CM, HUANG YC, NAITO T, FAN CK. Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxocariasis among College Students in Taipei City, Taiwan. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2015; 10:482-9. [PMID: 26622304 PMCID: PMC4662749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection by Toxocara spp. is known to be significantly associated with partial epilepsy. It has become popular for people to raise dogs/cats as pets and consume roasted meat/viscera, and the status of Toxocara spp. infection, epilepsy awareness, and associated risk factors among the general population are currently unknown in Taiwan. METHODS A seroepidemiological investigation among 203 college students (CSs), consisting of 110 males and 93 females with an average age of 21.5 ± 1.2 years, was conducted in 2009 in Taipei City. A Western blot analysis based on excretory-secretory antigens derived from Toxocara canis larvae (TcESs) was applied to determine the positivity of serum immunoglobulin G antibodies. A self-administered questionnaire was also given to obtain information about demographic characteristics, epilepsy awareness, and risk factors. A logistic regression model was applied for the statistical analysis using SPSS software. RESULTS The overall seropositive rate of Toxocara spp. infection was 8.4% (17/203). As to epilepsy awareness, a non-significantly higher seroprevalence was found in CSs who claimed to "know" about epilepsy compared to those who did not know (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS It appears that appropriate educational programs are urgently needed to provide correct knowledge related to the prevention and control measures against Toxocara spp. infections to avoid potential threats by this parasite to the general population in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Jung FU
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Dept. of International Medical Affairs, Taipei Medical University-Shuang-Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yan KAO
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chien-Wei LIAO
- Dept. of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Ching CHEN
- Dept. of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Wu CHUANG
- Dept. of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chin WANG
- Dept. of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Mei CHOU
- Dept. of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chie HUANG
- Dept. of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Toshio NAITO
- Dept. of General Medicine,
- Dept. of Infection Control Science, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chia-Kwung FAN
- Dept. of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Fungi predatory activity on embryonated Toxocara canis eggs inoculated in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and destruction of second stage larvae. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3301-8. [PMID: 26032943 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4553-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the infectivity of Toxocara canis eggs after interacting with isolated nematophagous fungi of the species Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4), and test the predatory activity of the isolated AC001 on T. canis second stage larvae after 7 days of interaction. In assay A, 5000 embryonated T. canis eggs previously in contact with the AC001 and VC4 isolated for 10 days were inoculated into domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), and then these animals were necropsied to collect material (digested liver, intestine, muscles and lungs) at 3-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day intervals after inoculation. In assay A, the results demonstrated that the prior interaction of the eggs with isolated AC001 and VC4 decreases the amount of larvae found in the collected organs. Difference (p < 0.01) was observed in the medium larvae counts recovered from liver, lung, intestine, and muscle of animals in the treated groups when compared to the animals in the control group. At the end of assay A, a percentage reduction of 87.1 % (AC001) and 84.5 % (VC4) respectively was recorded. In the result of assay B, the isolated AC001 showed differences (p < 0.01) compared to the control group, with a reduction of 53.4 % in the recovery of L2. Through these results, it is justified to mention that prior interaction of embryonated T. canis eggs with the tested fungal isolates were efficient in reducing the development and migration of this parasite, in addition to the first report of proven predatory activity on L2.
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Kim HS, Jin Y, Choi MH, Kim JH, Lee YH, Yoon CH, Hwang EH, Kang H, Ahn SY, Kim GJ, Hong ST. Significance of serum antibody test for toxocariasis in healthy healthcare examinees with eosinophilia in Seoul and Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. J Korean Med Sci 2014; 29:1618-25. [PMID: 25469060 PMCID: PMC4248581 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.12.1618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been numerous reports on the relationship between eosinophilia and toxocariasis. The present study investigated seropositive rates of toxocariasis among healthy people with or without eosinophilia in urban and rural areas, and assessed risk factors for positive antibody test. A total of 610 healthy people, who visited health check-up (Medicheck®, Korea Association of Health Promotion), 310 from Seoul and 300 from Gyeongsangnam-do, were subjected for this study. Their serum samples were tested by ELISA with the crude antigen of Toxocara canis larvae. Cross-reactions with other tissue invading helminth antigens were also investigated. Total antibody positive rate of toxocariasis was 8.7% of the 610 subjects. When the subjects were grouped into 3 by their eosinophil counts, the antibody positive rates significantly differed by the groups; 5.9% (18/306) in the group<350/µL, 10.0% (11/110) in the group 350-500/µL, and 12.4% (24/194) in the group>500/µL (P=0.028). A total of 22 serum samples cross-reacted with other tissue-invading helminth antigens. A questionnaire analysis recognized drinking alcohol and smoking as significant risk factors of toxocariasis. In conclusion, toxocariasis antibody positive rate is correlated with eosinophil counts. It is recommended that healthy subjects with eosinophilia by routine health examination and risk factors undergo Toxocara serology by multiantigen ELISA to investigate etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Seok Kim
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min-Ho Choi
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Kim
- Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Ha Lee
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Hun Kang
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Gi Jin Kim
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Hong
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Fellrath JM, Magnaval JF. Toxocariasis after slug ingestion characterized by severe neurologic, ocular, and pulmonary involvement. Open Forum Infect Dis 2014; 1:ofu063. [PMID: 25734133 PMCID: PMC4281794 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofu063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Human toxocariasis is generally a benign, self-curing disease, and neurologic involvement is quite exceptional. In this study, we report a case of toxocariasis caused by ingestion of an unusual transport host, namely live slugs. The clinical picture comprised eosinophilic lung involvement with severe neurologic disorders in relation to vasculitis as well as retinal detachment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-François Magnaval
- Department of Medical Parasitology , Faculty of Medicine Purpan , Toulouse , France ; CNRS UMR 5288 "Anthropobiology" , Paul-Sabatier University , Toulouse , France
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Cong W, Zhang XX, Zhou N, Yu CZ, Chen J, Wang XY, Li B, Qian AD, Zhu XQ. Toxocara seroprevalence among clinically healthy individuals, pregnant women and psychiatric patients and associated risk factors in Shandong Province, Eastern China. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3082. [PMID: 25101756 PMCID: PMC4125144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxocarosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by the ascarid nematodes Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, which primarily infect dogs and cats, respectively. Most human infections with Toxocara are asymptomatic; however, some infected individuals may develop a serious illness and even death. Nevertheless, epidemiological knowledge regarding the prevalence and risks associated with Toxocara infection is limited in China. Therefore, we performed a cross-sectional pilot study and estimated the seroprevalence of Toxocara infection in humans in Shandong Province, eastern China for the first time, from June 2011 to July 2013, involving clinically healthy individuals, pregnant women and psychiatric patients, aiming to attract public attention to Toxocara infection. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS Seroprevalence of Toxocara was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on a cross-sectional study conducted in Qingdao and Weihai, Shandong Province, eastern China. Factors potentially associated with Toxocara infection were identified by logistic regression analysis. The overall Toxocara seroprevalence among the study population (n = 2866) was 12.25%, and a significantly higher seroprevalence in psychiatric patients (16.40%, 73/445) than that in clinically healthy individuals (13.07%, 187/1431) and pregnant women (9.19%, 91/990) was revealed. Univariate analyses suggested that keeping dogs at home (OR = 0.06, 95% CI 0.05-0.08, P<0.001), contact with cats and dogs (OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.33-0.53, P<0.001) and exposure with soil (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.28-0.49, P<0.001) were risk factors associated with Toxocara infection. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The present study revealed, for the first time, that human infection with Toxocara is common in eastern China, posing a significant public health concern. Increasing human and dog populations, population movements and climate change all will serve to increase the importance of this zoonosis. Further studies under controlled conditions are necessary to define potential morbidity associated with Toxocara infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People′s Republic of China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People′s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Xuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People′s Republic of China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People′s Republic of China
| | - Na Zhou
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong Province, People′s Republic of China
| | - Chang-Zheng Yu
- Weihai Wendeng Central Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, People′s Republic of China
| | - Jia Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People′s Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Yang Wang
- Wendeng Municipal Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, People′s Republic of China
| | - Bing Li
- Wendeng People's Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, People′s Republic of China
| | - Ai-Dong Qian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People′s Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People′s Republic of China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, People′s Republic of China
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A Comparative Seroprevalence Study of Toxocariasis in Hypereosinophilic and Apparently Healthy Individuals. ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2014. [DOI: 10.5812/pedinfect.17911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Risk of infection by the consumption of liver of chickens inoculated with low doses of Toxocara canis eggs. Vet Parasitol 2014; 203:87-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Van De N, Trung NV, Duyet LV, Chai JY. Molecular diagnosis of an ocular toxocariasis patient in Vietnam. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2013; 51:563-7. [PMID: 24327783 PMCID: PMC3857505 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.5.563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2013] [Revised: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
An ocular Toxocara canis infection is reported for the first time in Vietnam. A 34-year-old man residing in a village of Son La Province, North Vietnam, visited the National Eye Hospital (NEH) in August 2011. He felt a bulge-sticking pain in his left eye and loss of vision occurred over 3 months before visiting the hospital. The eye examination in the hospital showed damage of the left eye, red eye, retinal fibrosis, retinal detachment, inflammation of the eye tissues, retinal granulomas, and a parasitic cyst inside. A larva of Toxocara was collected with the cyst by a medical doctor by surgery. Comparison of 264 nucleotides of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA was done between our Vietnamese Toxocara canis and other Toxocara geographical isolates, including Chinese T. canis, Japanese T. canis, Sri Lankan T. canis, and Iranian T. canis. The nucleotide homology was 97-99%, when our T. canis was compared with geographical isolates. Identification of a T. canis infection in the eye by a molecular method was performed for the first time in Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Van De
- Department of Parasitology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Jin Y, Shen C, Huh S, Sohn WM, Choi MH, Hong ST. Serodiagnosis of toxocariasis by ELISA using crude antigen of Toxocara canis larvae. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2013; 51:433-9. [PMID: 24039286 PMCID: PMC3770874 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.4.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by larvae of ascarid nematodes of dogs or cats, Toxocara canis or T. cati. Diagnosis of human toxocariasis currently relies on serology that uses T. canis excretory-secretory antigen to detect specific IgG antibodies by ELISA. We investigated the serodiagnostic efficacy of ELISA using crude antigen of T. canis larvae (TCLA). Serum specimens of 64 clinically confirmed toxocariasis, 115 healthy controls, and 119 other tissue-invading helminthiases were screened by ELISA using TCLA. The ELISA using TCLA showed 92.2% (59/64 patient samples) sensitivity and 86.6% (103/119) specificity. Its positive diagnostic predictivity was 78.7% and negative predictivity was 97.8%. No serum of healthy controls reacted but that of anisakiasis (45.5%), gnathostomiasis (19.2%), clonorchiasis (15.8%), sparganosis (11.1%), and cysticercosis (6.3%) cross-reacted. Immunoblot analysis on TCLA recognized antigenic proteins of 28- and 30-kDa bands in their dominant protein quantity and strong blotting reactivity. The present results indicate that the ELISA using our TCLA antigen is acceptable by the sensitivity and specificity for serodiagnosis of human toxocariasis. ELISA with TCLA is recommended to make differential diagnosis for patients with any sign of organ infiltration and eosinophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Korea
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