Soil contamination with Toxocara sp. eggs in Moreno, Pernambuco State, Brazil

Abstract

The contaminated soil with Toxocara sp. eggs is an important factor of risk to development of the zoonotic disease. Human infection is acquired by ingestion of embryonated Toxocara sp. eggs with contaminated water, food and also with dirt hands contaminated too. Usually Toxocara sp. infected dogs and cats, but sometimes humans can be affected, mainly children, causing visceral larva migrans. The goal of this study was determine the prevalence of Toxocara eggs in the sand of the locality Cidade Evangelica dos orfaos, Moreno County, northeast of Brazil. Twenty-five soil samples were collected and analyzed by centrifugal flotation technique by using zinc sulfate solution at 33%. The analysis of soil samples showed 12% (3/25) of some contamination level of sand by Toxocara sp eggs. As human can be infect by accidental ingestion of embryonated Toxocara eggs, the results of this research suggest the adoption of measures who prevent the transmission of this zoonotic disease.