Who Let the Dogs Out? Unmasking the Neglected: A Semi-Systematic Review on the Enduring Impact of Toxocariasis, a Prevalent Zoonotic Infection

Katrin Henke, Sotirios Ntovas, Eleni Xourgia, Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos, Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler and Mairi Ziaka ()
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Katrin Henke: Department of Internal Medicine, Thun Hospital, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 3600 Thun, Switzerland
Sotirios Ntovas: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
Eleni Xourgia: Department of Heart Surgery, lnselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler: Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
Mairi Ziaka: Department of Internal Medicine, Thun Hospital, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 3600 Thun, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 21, 1-26

Abstract: Toxocariasis remains an important neglected parasitic infection representing one of the most common zoonotic infections caused by the parasite Toxocara canis or, less frequently, by Toxocara cati . The epidemiology of the disease is complex due to its transmission route by accidental ingestion of embryonated Toxocara eggs or larvae from tissues from domestic or wild paratenic hosts. Even though the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control classified toxocariasis amongst the top six parasitic infections of priority to public health, global epidemiological data regarding the relationship between seropositivity and toxocariasis is limited. Although the vast majority of the infected individuals remain asymptomatic or experience a mild disease, the infection is associated with important health and socioeconomic consequences, particularly in underprivileged, tropical, and subtropical areas. Toxocariasis is a disease with multiple clinical presentations, which are classified into five distinct forms: the classical visceral larva migrans, ocular toxocariasis, common toxocariasis, covert toxocariasis, and cerebral toxocariasis or neurotoxocariasis. Anthelmintic agents, for example, albendazole or mebendazole , are the recommended treatment, whereas a combination with topical or systemic corticosteroids for specific forms is suggested. Prevention strategies include educational programs, behavioral and hygienic changes, enhancement of the role of veterinarians, and anthelmintic regimens to control active infections.

Keywords: Toxocara canis; Toxocara cati; toxocariasis; parasitic infection; visceral larva migrans; Albendazole (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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