Recent surveys of prevalence of Toxocara spp in humans, dogs and cats in Iraq

摘要

Toxocariasis in caused by infestation by the roundworm Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati mostly in dogs and cats. Humans and animals may unintentionally ingest Toxocara eggs through contaminated food or water or undercooked meat with 2nd stage larvae cysts. After hatching, the larvae enter organs and various tissues through the circulation which frequently results in fever and coughing inducing inflammation of the liver or blindness. Authors compile more recent findings by ELISA and PCR tests for Toxacara spp in large cohorts suggesting very high incidence of toxacariasis in dogs, cats and humans in Iraq.