Seroprevalence of Canine Toxocariasis in Three Rural Areas of Fars Province, Southern Iran

Ali  Pouryousef; Seyyed Mohammad  Hashemi; Mostafa  Omidian; Fattaneh  Mikaeili; Bahador  Sarkari

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v19i1.15191

Ali Pouryousef Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Seyyed Mohammad Hashemi Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Mostafa Omidian Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Fattaneh Mikaeili Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Bahador Sarkari Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i1.15191

Keywords: Toxocara; Seroprevalence; Dogs; Rural area

Abstract

Background: Toxocara canis is one of the most important causes of animal toxocariasis with global distribution. We aimed to find out the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in dogs in a rural area in Fars Province, south of Iran.

Methods: Dogs blood samples were collected from 60 dogs in three rural areas in the Sar Mashhad region, Fars Province. Dog sera were evaluated for anti-Toxocara antibodies by an indirect ELISA method. The association between the seropositivity and age, gender, and the sampling location were statistically evaluated.

Results: Serological assay detected anti-Toxocara antibodies in sera of 32 out of 60 dogs, corresponding to a seroprevalence of 53.3%. The rate of seropositivity was higher in the male dogs. The rate of seropositivity was higher in old dogs. This rate increased with increasing age, however, the association between age and Toxocara seropositivity was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of Toxocara infection in dogs in the current study area confirms that infected dogs are an important source of Toxocara infection for their owners and people who are in close contact with these animals, especially children.