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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2018, vol. 24, issue3
Subject Area Medicine
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2018243.2177
Published online: 14 September 2018
Original article
J of IMAB. 2018 Jul-Sep;24(3):2177-2180
CONTAMINATION WITH TOXOCARA SPP. EGGS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES OF PUBLIC PLACES OF VARNA CITY, BULGARIA
Tatyana Cvetkova1
, Kalina Stoyanova1 
, Tsonko Paunov2.
1) Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Dermatovenereology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University - Varna, Bulgaria
2) Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University - Varna, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Toxocariasis in humans is an unknown and underdiagnosed disease with increased risk of distribution determined by the large canine and cat populations. Contamination of the environment with pets feces containing helminth eggs is the key route of transmission toxocariasis, threatening especially the youngest children.
The purpose of this study is preliminary research of the degree of pollution of the environment with Toxocara spp. eggs by examining soil and sand samples from different public places of Varna, Bulgaria.
Material and methods: In 2018, 40 soil and sand samples were collected from various locations of Varna city: public park areas, areas for dog-walking, playgrounds, sandboxes and yards with domestic animals. The samples were processed using modified Romanеnko’s method.
Results: Soil analysis showed Toxocara spp. eggs in one sample from a public park area in the central region of Varna. In another soil sample of a private yard with domestic dog typical ova of the Taeniidae family was observed (possibly of E. granulosus). In two other samples, eggs from other canine parasites were discovered.
Conclusion: The first research of the environmental contamination with helminthic eggs in Northeastern Bulgaria showed Toxocara spp. eggs in one of the central and most populated area of Varna city. Furthermore, at least 10% of the tested materials were contaminated with canine excrements that testify for the lack of proper control of domestic and stray animals, which represents a real and imminent danger from zoonotic infection for the public health in the region.
Keywords: Toxocara, Toxocariasis, Visceral Larva Migrans, Environmental Exposure, Public Health,
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Please cite this article as: Cvetkova T, Stoyanova K, Paunov T. Contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs of environmental samples of public places of Varna city, Bulgaria. J of IMAB. 2018 Jul-Sep;24(3):2177-2180. DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2018243.2177
Correspondence to: Dr Kalina Stoyanova, Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Dermatovenereology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Varna. 55, Prof. Marin Drinov Str., Varna 9000, Bulgaria; E-mail: drkalinasto@gmail.com
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Received: 21 May 2018
Published online: 14 September 2018