Frequency of Toxocara canis in dogs and green areas in the south of Mexico City

Ignacio Martínez-Barbabosa; Ana María Fernández Presas; Óscar Vázquez Tsuji; Adela Ruiz Hernández

1998, Number 3

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Vet Mex 1998; 29 (3)

**Frequency of Toxocara canis in dogs and green areas in the south of Mexico City**

Martínez-Barbabosa I, Fernández PAM, Vázquez TO, Ruiz HA

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Language: English/Spanish
References: 28
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ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to determine the contamination frequency in green areas parasited with Toxocara canis by dogs in six areas in the south of Mexico City. Nine hundred thirty five soil samples (200 g) and 710 samples of dog feces, including pet and stray dogs, were collected in the south of Mexico City. Soil samples were processed with the modified Ferreira technique, and feces samples using the Faust method. Results indicate that 14.6% ofthe soil samples were positive T. canis eggs. Furthermore, T. canis was found in 21.2% of the pet dogs studied, and in 12.4% of the stray dogs included in the sample. It can be therefore concluded that there is a high frequency of contamination in green areas with T. canis eggs, as well as a high percentage of pet and stray dogs infected with this nematode. It is recommended that legislation strict control meausures are taken to prevent humans to acquire toxocariasis.

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