Prevalence and Viability of Toxocara spp. Eggs in Soil of Public Parks in Northwestern Mexico

Alexis Israel  VARGAS NAVA; Nohemí  CASTRO DEL CAMPO; Idalia  ENRÍQUEZ VERDUGO; Jesús José  PORTILLO LOERA; Claudia Leonor  BARRAZA TIZOC; Soila Maribel  GAXIOLA CAMACHO

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v15i2.3301

Alexis Israel VARGAS NAVA
Nohemí CASTRO DEL CAMPO
Idalia ENRÍQUEZ VERDUGO
Jesús José PORTILLO LOERA
Claudia Leonor BARRAZA TIZOC
Soila Maribel GAXIOLA CAMACHO

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v15i2.3301

Keywords: Toxocara spp.; Public parks; Prevalence; Viability

Abstract

Background: Toxocara spp. is a zoonotic parasite that can infect human; children are the largest group at risk of infection. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and viability of Toxocara spp. eggs in the soil of public parks.

Methods: Overall, 1180 soil samples from 236 public parks in four sectors of the city of Culiacan were collected at random, between Jun and Dec, 2013. The presence of Toxocara spp. eggs was determined by light microscopy using a centrifugation-flotation technique and viability by trypan blue staining technique.

Results: Of the 236 parks sampled, 18 were positive to Toxocara spp. resulting in a prevalence of 7.6% and viability of 94.4% with a P<0.05. Detection of Toxocara spp.in soil samples was 16.5% and viability 94.7% with a P<0.05. Parks positive to Toxocara spp., had sports fields and playgrounds (94.4%), trees and green areas (88.8%).

Conclusion: Although a low prevalence of Toxoxara spp. eggs in the soil of public parks was found, they exhibited high viability, suggesting that the soil from these public parks is a source of infection for pets and humans especially children.