Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Investigation of Carnivorous Ascarididae Infestation in Owned Dogs in Shahrekord City As a Potential Risk in Human Toxocariasis

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors
Javad Forouzandeh 1
Ebrahim Saedi Dezaki 2
Somayeh Khodabakhshi 3
Rahman Abdizadeh 4
1 MSc Student of Medical Parasitology, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
3 MSc of Medical Parasitology, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
10.48305/jims.v44.i870.1230
Abstract
Background: Toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic helminth parasitic infections with public health and economic importance, which is mostly caused by Toxocara canis. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Toxocara species egg in owned dogs as a risk for transmission to humans in Shahrekord County.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 260 faecal samples of owned dogs in Shahrekord County were collected by recording demographic characteristics from 2018 to 2019 and were evaluated to determine the prevalence of T.canis by formalin-ether and zinc sulfate concentration methods.
Findings: The prevalence of Toxocara spp. infections in dogs, as determined by formalin-ether and zinc sulfate concentration methods, was 8.85% (23 samples) and 10% (26 samples), respectively. Also, the eggs of Toxascaris leonina were observed along with Toxocara canis eggs in 5 samples (1.9%). The results showed that the highest rate of T. canis infection was observed in male dogs (96.2%), shepherd dogs (46.2%), and in spring (42.3%). The statistical analysis of the data indicated that there was no significant relationship between Toxocara infection and age, gender, habitat variables, and sampling season.
Conclusion: T. canis infection in 10% of owned dogs in Shahrekord County can be a potential risk for the owners of these animals and for the infection of paratenic hosts. It is recommended that dog owners increase their awareness of the risk of this infection and that veterinarians design and implement control programs.

Highlights

Ebrahim Saedi Dezaki: Google Scholar ,PubMe

Rahman Abdizadeh: Google Scholar ,PubMe

Keywords
Toxocara canis
Toxascaris leonine
Faecal
Flotation
Concentration
Dog
Subjects
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 44, Issue 870
2nd Week, September
September and October 2026
Pages 1230-1239

  • Receive Date 22 July 2025
  • Accept Date 25 July 2026