Comparison of the Level of Awareness about the Transmission of Echinococcosis and Toxocariasis between Pet Owners and Non-Pet Owners in Greece

Awareness of parasitic zoonotic diseases among pet owners in Cairo, Egypt

Egyptians are becoming more interested in owning and raising pets; however, most of them lack essential awareness about the risk of zoonotic parasites that could be transmitted. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the degree of awareness Egyptian pet owners possess concerning zoonotic parasitic diseases, the risk of transmission, and preventative measures. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an e-survey. Among 246 pet owners, 64.2% (158) were females, and 67.9% (167) belonged to the 20-30 age group. The majority, 78.9% (194), were raising cats. Only 13.8% (34) visited the veterinarian regularly, with significantly higher results among dog owners (p < 0.05). Only 31.3% (77) participants were regularly deworming their pets, and 19.9% (49) were giving their pets prophylaxis against ectoparasites, with significantly higher results among those who visited the veterinarian regularly (p < 0.0001) and among dog owners (p < 0.05). Only 54.1% (133) had heard about the term "zoonoses" before, and about 8.9% (22) of participants showed a history of zoonotic parasitic diseases, with significantly higher results among those who allowed their animals to play with other animals of neighbors and friends (p < 0.05). The obtained results concluded that the surveyed group had a relatively good degree of knowledge regarding pets as a source of zoonotic illness; raising pet owners' awareness regarding the importance of routine medical examinations and minimizing the contact of pets with other stray animals is essential.

Knowledge, awareness and practice regarding cystic echinococcosis in Algeria: A cross-sectional survey among the general population

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonotic disease with a widespread occurrence, particularly in developing countries. Known as a neglected disease, it is highly prevalent in Algeria with a significant public health concern and substantial financial losses. The objectives of this study was to explore knowledge and awareness and practice of the Algerian population regarding this disease. A cross-sectional online-based survey was conducted between July 15 and September 25, 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire targeting all Algerian people of more than 18 years of age. Out of the total respondents, 87.7% have ever heard of CE with livestock rearing connection (OR:2.550, CI 95% OR: 1.108-5.870) and educational level (OR:3.826, CI 95% OR: 1.599-9.156) as the main factors associated with the level of awareness. Regarding their knowledge, results showed dispersing notions about the disease. The majority (84.8%) were aware of the zonnotic nature of the disease while only 49.6% knew that CE is caused by parasitic disease. Also, 83.3% were knowledgeable of the role of contaminated offal in the contamination of dogs which are considered as the main source of contamination of humans (65.19%). Regarding their practices, even home slaughtering was common (92.96%), some positive attitudes were prevalent where most of the participants declared washing vegetable before consumption (97.41%) and washing their hands after touching a dog (91.11%). Also, 68.29% among the dog owners declared that deworming their pets. This study has revealed that despite the high level of awareness and some positive attitudes, the level of knowledge about CE among the Algerian public has shown some gaps related to the epidemiology of the disease. These results could be helpful for the awareness campaigns programmers in their missions through focusing their efforts on raising the level of knowledge for the items that have shown a lack of understand which will be of great importance in the strategy of CE elimination.

Seroprevalence of Toxocariasis and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adult Population in Kavar District, Fars Province, South of Iran: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Seroepidemiological Survey

Toxocariasis as a common neglected disease is the culprit of infecting all age groups. The current cross-sectional study was designed to assess the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and risk factors associated with seropositivity of Toxocara infection among the general population of adults in the Kavar district, south of Iran. A total of 1060 participants with an age range of 35 to 70 years from the Kavar region entered the study. Manual ELISA was utilized to detect anti-Toxocara-specific antibodies in their serum samples. In addition, demographic information as well as risk factors related to toxocariasis was collected from individuals who participated in the survey. The mean age of the participants was 48.9 (±7.9) years old. Out of 1060 subjects, 532 (50.2%) were men, and 528 (49.8%) were women. The overall Toxocara seroprevalence was 5.8% (61/1060). The prevalence of Toxocara seropositive cases was significantly different between males and females (p = 0.023). The seropositive rate for Toxocara infection was also significantly higher in housewives (p = 0.003) and subjects with learning disabilities (p = 0.008). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that housewives (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.18-3.51, p = 0.010) and subjects with learning disability (OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.29-8.52, p = 0.013) were at increased risk of Toxocara infection. The findings of the current study depicted a noticeable seroprevalence of Toxocara infection in the general population in the Kavar district, southern Iran. An increased risk of toxocariasis has been associated with learning disabilities and being a housewife. All of the toxocariasis-positive cases had contact with animals, at some point in their life. In perspective, it is necessary to raise awareness of this infection among the population while surveilling Toxocara infection in high-risk groups.

The epidemiology and control of Toxocara canis in puppies

Toxocara canis is a helminth zoonosis that is estimated to infect more than 100 million dogs and 1 billion people, mostly in the tropics. Humans can be infected by accidentally ingesting embryonated T. canis eggs from the environment or occasionally after ingesting L₃ larvae from paratenic hosts. This study investigated the importance of vertical transmission and the role of puppies in the epidemiology of T. canis through the examination of fecal samples from dogs less than one year of age in Grenada, West Indies, a small island tropical developing country. Samples were stored at 4 °C or in 10% formalin until microscopic examination for helminth eggs or using a rapid antigen test for the presence of protozoan species. A knowledge, attitudes and practices study was completed among dog owners, physicians and veterinary students. Of 306 dogs less than one year of age, 147 (48%) were found to have T. canis eggs. Vertical transmission was indicated by the proportion of infected dogs increasing from 50% at two weeks of age (from in utero transmission) to 70% by 12 weeks (in utero and lactogenic transmission). After 12 weeks the positivity rate dropped rapidly with no dogs over 40 weeks of age being infected. As T. canis eggs were found in puppy feces at two weeks of age, initial treatment of puppies should begin earlier, at twelve days post-partum, than currently recommended to prevent shedding of eggs. Perhaps even more importantly, treatment of pregnant dogs, preventing vertical transmission, would have a major impact on the control of T. canis infection. Knowledge of T. canis and other zoonotic helminths such as Ancylostoma caninum was found to be low among dog owners, physicians and veterinary students. None of the dog owners treated their dogs for helminths, all were unaware of the risk of zoonoses, and only 9% picked up dog feces. Efforts to prevent vertical transmission and to increase awareness and knowledge of these zoonoses could result in reducing their public health impact.

Measurement of the IgG Avidity Index in the Diagnosis of Clinical Toxocariasis Patients

Toxocara spp. are parasitic nematodes responsible for human toxocariasis, a common zoonotic helminth infection. The five main features of human toxocariasis are the classical ocular toxocariasis and visceral larva migrans syndrome, followed by covert toxocariasis, common toxocariasis and neurotoxocariasis. The diagnosis of toxocariasis is feasible by considering clinical symptoms, anamnestic history and serology laboratory results; however, serological criteria cannot be used to distinguish active Toxocara infection from past exposure, which is an area of much discussion in clinical practice. In this context, we developed avidity tests (ELISA and immunoblotting) and evaluated their clinical usefulness in distinguishing past from active toxocariasis. Our study involved 46 patients divided into two groups: “active toxocariasis” (n = 14) and “chronic toxocariasis” (n = 32). According to the avidity indices obtained for both the chronic and active toxocariasis groups, we proposed two thresholds: first, an AI lower than 32% supports an active infection; secondly, a threshold above 42% can exclude an active infection. In order to use this assay in routine clinical practice, however, is still requires standardisation with regards to the method and threshold values, which can be established through studies involving larger populations.

Role of cats in human toxocarosis

Toxocara cati, the feline ascarid, is ubiquitous in domestic cats globally and is increasingly recognised as an important zoonotic species. In the definitive host, infections with the adult ascarid usually do not present any clinical signs; if clinical signs do appear, it is usually in kittens infected with T. cati, especially by the transmammary route. Diseases may include cachexia, a pot-bellied appearance, respiratory disorders, diarrhoea, vomiting, among other signs, and these may present as early as 3 weeks of age. However, infections with Toxocara spp. larvae in paratenic hosts (including humans and many other animals), can result in serious complications from the migration of larvae. Historically, there has been an assumption that Toxocara canis was the most likely cause of Toxocara spp.-related disease; while it is probably true that T. canis is responsible for the majority of infections, it is important that those caused by T. cati are accurately identified so that the contribution of this parasite to human disease can be established and then handled appropriately. Overall, the detection of infections in cats and the control of parasite stages in the environment are essential to minimise the infection risk to other animals or humans.