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

Author

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  • Katrin Henke

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Thun Hospital, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 3600 Thun, Switzerland
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sotirios Ntovas

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
    Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, lnselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • 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
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Katrin Henke & Sotirios Ntovas & Eleni Xourgia & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos & Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler & Mairi Ziaka, 2023. "Who Let the Dogs Out? Unmasking the Neglected: A Semi-Systematic Review on the Enduring Impact of Toxocariasis, a Prevalent Zoonotic Infection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-26, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:21:p:6972-:d:1267121
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marmor, M. & Glickman, L. & Shofer, F. & Faich, L.A. & Rosenberg, C. & Cornblatt, B. & Friedman, S., 1987. "Toxocara canis infection of children: Epidemiologic and neuropsychologic findings," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 77(5), pages 554-559.
    2. Jaime Luna & Calogero Edoardo Cicero & Guillaume Rateau & Graziella Quattrocchi & Benoit Marin & Elisa Bruno & François Dalmay & Michel Druet-Cabanac & Alessandra Nicoletti & Pierre-Marie Preux, 2018. "Updated evidence of the association between toxocariasis and epilepsy: Systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Michael Matsangos & Laoura Ziaka & Artistomenis K. Exadaktylos & Jolanta Klukowska-Rötzler & Mairi Ziaka, 2022. "Health Status of Afghan Refugees in Europe: Policy and Practice Implications for an Optimised Healthcare," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Ali Rostami & Seyed Mohammad Riahi & Celia V Holland & Ali Taghipour & Mohsen Khalili-Fomeshi & Yadolah Fakhri & Vahid Fallah Omrani & Peter J Hotez & Robin B Gasser, 2019. "Seroprevalence estimates for toxocariasis in people worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-21, December.
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