Search Results (122)

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are ubiquitous companion animals that provide substantial psychological and social benefits to children and adults alike, but they also serve as reservoirs and vectors for a wide range of zoonotic pathogens. Close physical contact between cats and children, frequent use of shared environments such as homes, playgrounds, and sandboxes, and still-developing hygiene behaviours increase opportunities for exposure to protozoa, helminths, bacteria, fungi, and ectoparasite-borne agents. This review synthesizes current evidence on key feline-associated zoonoses of pediatric concern—including Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma spp., Dipylidium caninum, Bartonella henselae, Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter jejuni, Pasteurella multocida, Microsporum canis, flea-borne Rickettsia species, and rabies—with emphasis on transmission routes, clinical manifestations, and risk modifiers in children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Within a One Health framework, we also summarize global publication trends on feline zoonoses, discuss how urban cat ecology and management (including free-ranging cats in child-frequented environments) may shape pediatric risk, and outline practical prevention strategies centred on hygiene, veterinary care, and targeted education for caregivers and children. Full article

Zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites such as Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum are a public health concern, particularly in tropical and urban environments. This study evaluated Mexican veterinarians’ perceptions, knowledge, and deworming practices regarding these parasites and their zoonotic risks. A nationwide online survey obtained 717 fully completed responses from veterinarians across all Mexican states, exceeding the required sample size. Inclusion criteria required participants to be active small-animal practitioners with no missing data on core deworming questions; veterinarians working exclusively in pharmacies, feed stores, boarding facilities, dog daycares, or grooming services were excluded. Overall ESCCAP guideline compliance was 34.2%. Compliance was highest in northern states (41.8%) and lowest in southern states (23.5%). Deworming practices in lactating dogs showed uniformly low adherence, and no state reached moderate compliance for puppies aged 1–3 weeks. Compliance with the recommended puppy deworming frequency was notably higher. Compliance with the recommended adult deworming frequency was very low (9.8%), while coprological monitoring was recommended by 43.4% of respondents. Professional formation was the strongest predictor of overall guideline adherence across nearly all criteria. The 16–20-year experience group showed the highest overall compliance. Sex was not a significant predictor of overall ESCCAP compliance; the only significant sex difference was observed for coprological monitoring, where female veterinarians showed higher compliance rates. These findings suggest that academic training, years of experience, and geographic region are independently associated with guideline adherence, underscoring the value of standardized national protocols and continuing education to strengthen zoonotic risk awareness among veterinarians in Mexico. Full article

Background: Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati are zoonotic nematodes of dogs and cats that maintain a human infection risk through environmental contamination with highly resistant eggs. Data on toxocariasis in North Macedonia are limited, and ocular toxocariasis (OT) remains a clinically important but easily overlooked manifestation of human infection. Methods: This retrospective assessment combined coprological data from dogs and cats with a complementary clinical description of a human case of OT. Routine fecal samples from dogs and cats from January 2018 to March 2026 were morphologically examined. The human case of OT was a 13-year-old boy with unilateral ocular disease. Results: Of 465 samples, Toxocara spp. eggs were detected in 14, corresponding to an overall detection of 3.0%. Detection was 3.0% in dogs (11/371) and 3.2% in cats (3/94), with no significant difference between species. The human clinical component involved unilateral visual loss, strabismus, and posterior segment inflammatory changes. Conclusions: Dogs and cats in North Macedonia showed sporadic Toxocara spp. egg shedding, supporting ongoing zoonotic exposure potential. The clinically confirmed OT case complements the animal data and underscores the need for improved awareness among clinicians and veterinarians, as well as strengthened preventive measures aimed at reducing environmental contamination and zoonotic exposure. Full article

Dogs are key reservoirs of zoonotic infections, including Toxocara canis, a widely distributed parasite of major public health concern. In Vietnam, the parasite is highly prevalent in dog populations and humans. Epidemiological studies assessing infection and associated factors are essential to better understand transmission and to inform effective control strategies. We conducted a cross-sectional baseline survey to assess Toxocara infection in dogs in rural Vietnam. Fecal samples from 371 dogs were examined using centrifugal flotation (Sheather’s solution, specific gravity 1.2) and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), alongside structured questionnaires on dog demographics and management. Using combined copromicroscopic and molecular methods, the overall prevalence of Toxocara infection was 44.7% (95% CI: 39.6–50.0). By microscopy alone, 29.9% (95% CI: 25.4–34.9) of samples were positive, while PCR detected Toxocara DNA in 41.2% (95% CI: 36.2–46.5) of dogs. Molecular analysis identified T. canis in 35.9% (95% CI: 31.0–41.0) and T. cati in 10.5% (95% CI: 7.7–14.2) of tested dogs. Dog age and deworming status were independently associated with PCR-detected T. canis infection. The elevated likelihood of infection among dogs that have never been dewormed highlights the importance of canine deworming. Questionnaire findings indicating suboptimal dog care and management highlight the need for community public health education to promote responsible ownership and reduce transmission risk. This baseline assessment provides essential evidence to inform targeted interventions and improve understanding of Toxocara transmission in endemic settings. Full article

The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a highly adaptable wild carnivore whose expanding range in Kazakhstan increases contact with livestock, wildlife, and human-modified environments. Despite its potential epidemiological importance, data on helminth infections in jackals from southern Kazakhstan remain limited. In this study, 13 golden jackals collected from four regions of southern Kazakhstan were examined by necropsy of internal organs and coprological analysis. Helminths were identified using morphological methods and molecular genetic analysis of mitochondrial (cox1) and ribosomal (NC13/NC2) markers. Five helminth species were detected, including the nematodes Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis, and the cestodes Taenia multiceps, Taenia krabbei, and Mesocestoides sp. Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirmed species-level identification of nematodes and cestodes and showed clear clustering with reference sequences. Overall, 46% of examined jackals were infected with at least one helminth species. The presence of taeniid cestodes and zoonotic nematodes highlights the role of golden jackals as definitive hosts in parasite transmission cycles involving wildlife, livestock, and humans. These findings provide new molecular and epizootological data on helminths of golden jackals in southern Kazakhstan and contribute to understanding their epidemiological significance. Full article

The metastrongyloids Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior, and the capillariid Capillaria aerophila, are major respiratory nematodes infecting cats. In recent decades these nematodes have been recorded in several areas of the world and have called for epizootiological studies to update knowledge on their distribution. While A. abstrusus is known to occur in some areas of Brazil, the presence of T. brevior remains uncertain, and feline infections with C. aerophila have never been reported. This study has investigated the occurrence of lungworms with or without other endoparasitoses in domestic cat populations of selected areas of Brazil. Individual faecal samples were collected from 537 cats, i.e., 521 in metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro and 16 in Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul). All samples were examined with Sheather’s flotation, and 521 of them also with the Baermann test. DNA was extracted from 425 Baermann sediments and molecularly examined for A. abstrusus and T. brevior. The most frequent parasites found at the copromicroscopy were Ancylostomatidae (n. 30, 5.8%), Toxocara cati (14, 2.7%), and Cystoisospora felis (n. 8; 1.5%). Larvae of A. abstrusus were identified by Baermann in 3 samples from Rio de Janeiro, while at PCRs, A. abstrusus DNA was amplified in 10 samples from Rio de Janeiro (n. 3), Seropédica (n. 3), Niterói (n. 3), and Porto Alegre (n. 1). The results indicate that A. abstrusus is enzootic in the investigated areas of Brazil and underline the usefulness of PCR when larvae are not detected by copromicroscopy or when only a single stool sample is analysed. Epizootiological implications, along with the absence of T. brevior in the examined cats and the presence of zoonotic endoparasites, are discussed. Full article

Toxocarosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic parasitic diseases, caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. Studying the epidemiological situation is a real challenge for specialists in the field worldwide. The aim of this study was to highlight the epidemiological aspects of the prevalence rate in Europe, and we found that the distribution of Toxocara infection is uneven, depending on geographical, climatic and socio-economic factors. Currently, there is a continuous spread of this parasite in many regions, including economically developed countries, but the exact prevalence is not known because there are no regular reports and statistical evidence regarding toxocarosis. The presence of nonspecific symptoms and subclinical disease may delay diagnosis and treatment, with long-term implications for the patient, and because of this, we discussed the possible Toxocara detection methods, with several novel and interesting approaches. Toxocarosis is included among the neglected parasitic diseases, requiring seroprevalence studies to be carried out to develop programs to reduce the frequency of this parasitosis. Full article

Toxocariasis, a geohelminthiasis caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati nematodes, has an estimated 19% seroprevalence worldwide. Although children have been considered more prone to infection, adults and the elderly may also be considered at risk. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the associated risk factors for Toxocara spp. seropositivity in a population of 290 individuals over 50 years old, attended by the Public Health System in western São Paulo state. Socioepidemiological information was obtained by a semi-structured questionnaire, a blood (serum) sample, and a neurocognitive function assessment by the 10-point cognitive screener (10-CS). Overall, 89/290 (30.7%; 95% CI: 25.7–36.2%) individuals presented anti-Toxocara spp. IgG antibodies by ELISA. Multivariate analysis revealed that individuals raising both dogs and cats were 3-fold more likely to be seropositive than the ones without any pet (p = 0.002), while educational level resulted in an associated protective factor (p = 0.001). No seropositivity influence was observed for the other evaluated variables, including age, gender, monthly income, consumption of drinkable water or raw/undercooked meat, having a dirty floor at home, contact with soil, washing vegetables and hands before meals, and onychophagy. Although seropositivity was not statistically associated with dementia (p = 0.198) and neuropsychiatric disorder (p = 0.440), results herein indicated toxocariasis as a likely under-reported and neglected infection in the older human population. As an immunosenescence risk group that should be continuously monitored, elderly pet owners may be at risk and should be extra careful with self-hygiene and pet deworming, particularly when owning multiple pet species, to reduce the risk of toxocariasis infection. Full article

Water is a vital resource for sustaining life; however, it is increasingly at risk due to escalating demand and heightened pollution levels. Swimming pool facilities generate diverse wastewater streams whose management offers opportunities for water recovery within a circular economy framework. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of research identifies five primary categories of wastewater: swimming pool basin outflow, filter washings, rainwater and meltwater, sanitary wastewater, and technological sludge, at a public swimming pool complex in Poland. Annual volumes were determined through direct measurements and calculations: pool basin outflow—2829.7 m³/year; filter washings—7179.2 m³/year; rainwater and meltwater—1172.6 m³/year; sanitary wastewater—5849.3 m³/year; and technological sludge—90.1 m³/year. Laboratory testing included physicochemical parameters (pH, redox potential, conductivity, COD, BOD, nutrients, heavy metals) and microbiological parameters (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella spp., Salmonella spp., Ascaris sp., Trichuris sp., Toxocara sp., Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus). The results showed that the filter washings, despite exceeding the limits for total suspended solids and combined chlorine, exhibited stable quality and significant volume, making them the most promising candidate for reuse after treatment. Rainwater quality was compromised by elevated heavy metal concentrations (Zn: 244.67 mg/L, Pb: 92.33 mg/L), while technological sludge exceeded the legal pollutant thresholds, classifying it as hazardous waste. The experimental conditions included year-round monitoring of operational flows, standardised backwash cycles every three days, and sampling under routine operational load. The findings support the development of targeted treatment systems that allow the recirculation of up to 7000 m³/year of water, thus reducing the demand for potable water and operational costs in swimming pool facilities. Full article

Human toxocariasis is a neglected tropical disease with a potentially major impact on public health. Our aim was to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxocara seroprevalence in blood donors from Romania. Serum samples were obtained from 1347 Romanian blood donors and serologically tested for anti-Toxocara antibodies. An epidemiological questionnaire was used to determine the risk factors associated with Toxocara infection. The overall prevalence of Toxocara antibodies was 29.6%, with a significant age-associated increase (p < 0.001). A higher rate was observed in individuals from rural areas compared to urban areas (p = 0.002) and in males compared to females (p = 0.001). In univariate statistical analysis, seropositivity was significantly associated with household ownership (p < 0.001), contact with soil (p < 0.001), owning dogs (p < 0.001), cats (p = 0.003), and consumption of undercooked poultry (p = 0.002). In a stepwise multivariate logistic regression model, only a lower level of education, age, male gender, consumption of undercooked or raw poultry, and contact with soil were associated with higher Toxocara seroprevalence. Our findings suggest a significant prevalence of Toxocara infection in this region. The identified risk factors highlight the necessity of health education programs that focus on public awareness and promote preventive behaviors, especially among at-risk populations. Full article

Tuberculosis and parasitic infections, including Toxocara, frequently coexist in many regions worldwide, yet their interaction remains poorly understood. Tuberculosis triggers a type 1 immune response characterized by IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α production, while toxocariasis elicits a type 2 response, mediated by cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-33. The coexistence of these divergent immune pathways can disrupt immune regulation and impair the host’s ability to control both infections, potentially leading to persistent hypereosinophilia. We illustrate this complex interplay through a real-world case involving a heavy smoker in whom Toxocara infection likely reactivated latent tuberculosis, resulting in severe, unexplained hypereosinophilia and late-onset asthma with recurrent exacerbations. After excluding other causes and completing full antituberculosis therapy along with three courses of antiparasitic treatment and systemic corticosteroids, hypereosinophilia persisted. The introduction of benralizumab, a biologic therapy targeting IL-5Rα, led to a rapid reduction in eosinophils to normal ranges and significant clinical improvement. This case underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by the intersection of common infections and highlights that even a neglected parasitic infection such as toxocariasis can underlie severe respiratory complications with eosinophilia, where paradoxically biologic therapy may ultimately provide a very effective intervention. Full article

An examination of 360 feral cats originating from three major habitats in the Dubai Emirate between 2002 and 2024 revealed the presence of 14 helminths, as follows: Joyeuxiella pasqualei, Joyeuxiella gervaisi, Diplopylidium nölleri, Diplopylidium acanthotetra, Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Taenia hydatigena, Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ollulanus tricuspis, Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Pterygodermatites cahirensis, Centrorhynchus aluconis and Macracanthorhynchus catulinus. During the same period, a total of 66 snakes (eight species) and 68 lizards (four species) from different locations in the Dubai Emirate were examined for parasites. The larval stages of the cestode genera Joyeuxiella and Diplopylidium, as well as cystacanths of Centrorhynchus sp. and Macracanthorhynchus sp. and the larval stages of two nematodes were detected. All of the snake species except sand boas, as well as two gecko species, harbored the larval stages of cestodes of the Dipylidiidae family. The high prevalence of Joyeuxiella and Diplopylidium in the cats that originated from the city center of Dubai, where the presence of reptiles can be excluded, suggests that certain arthropods might be involved in the life cycle of these cestodes as first intermediate hosts and that reptiles are paratenic hosts. Full article

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical with estrogen-like activity, known to impair immune function. BPA may act as a pro-inflammatory agent, reducing immune response efficacy, increasing bacterial load in E. coli infections, and altering immune responses in parasitic infections (Leishmania major, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Toxocara canis) through cytokine and regulatory T-cell modulation. Following its ban in food contact materials in Europe, several analogs have been introduced. This study assessed the immunotoxicity of BPA and six analogs, namely BPAP, BPE, BPP, BPS-MAE, BPZ, and TCBPA, by evaluating in vitro the antibody production. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy male and female donors were exposed to increasing concentrations of each compound for 24 h. After stimulation with rhIL-2 and ODN2006, IgM and IgG secretion were measured on day six. All compounds suppressed antibody production in a concentration-dependent manner, with some sex-related differences. IC₅₀ values showed BPP as the most potent suppressor, and BPE as the weakest. Similarly, IC₂₀ values confirmed these differences in potency, except for BPA being the weakest for IgM in males. Overall, te results do not support the idea that BPA analogs are safer than BPA. Full article

Background/Objectives: Toxocara spp. infection has been associated with severe asthma and allergic manifestations due to the activation of eosinophils by the release of Th2 cell cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Toxocara spp. infection and eosinophil levels in severe asthmatic patients. Methods: The socio-demographic, peripheral blood eosinophils counting total IgE, sIgE to aeroallergens and FEV1 results were acquired from the Program of Asthma and Rhinitis Control (ProAR) at the Salvador–Brazil databank; IgG anti-Toxocara spp. levels were measured in 176 severely asthmatic patients by indirect ELISA. Results: The Toxocara spp. seroprevalence was 50.6%. Eosinophilia was present in 54% of the population. The correlation between IgG anti-Toxocara spp. levels and eosinophils levels was positive. Eosinophilic individuals with SPT, sIgE for D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and B. tropicalis showed positive results; IgE ≥ 160 UI/dL and uncontrolled asthma presented more positive results for IgG anti-Toxocara spp. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that eosinophil levels are influenced by the presence of IgG antibodies against Toxocara spp. Additionally, helminth infection may modulate immunological responses in allergies and uncontrolled asthma, which could help explain the exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Full article

Background: Parasitic worm infections remain among the most prevalent and neglected health issues worldwide, affecting both humans and animals. Toxocariasis, caused by Toxocara spp., is a widespread zoonosis with significant public health and economic implications. Current anthelmintic treatments show limited efficacy, particularly against tissue-migrating larvae, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic options. This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic potential of H₁ antihistamines as repurposed drug candidates against Toxocara canis. Methods: Twenty-two H₁ antihistamines were screened for larvicidal activity against infective third-stage (L3) larvae of T. canis. Larval motility and morphology were assessed, and compounds with the highest efficacy were further investigated using density functional theory (DFT) to explore their electronic properties. Molecular docking simulations were also performed to predict interactions with T. canis β-tubulin. Results: Promethazine and rupatadine exhibited significant larvicidal effects, surpassing albendazole in reducing larval motility and inducing a distinct contorted morphology not observed in control or albendazole-treated larvae. DFT analyses suggested a strong electron-acceptor capacity, indicating a potential redox-based mechanism of action. Docking studies revealed favorable binding to the colchicine site of T. canis β-tubulin. Conclusions: This is the first report of larvicidal activity of antihistamines against T. canis, supporting their potential as repurposed therapeutic agents for the treatment of zoonotic helminthiases, particularly those caused by tissue-migrating nematodes. Full article