Toxocara spp. Eggs Contamination in Publics Parks and Gardens from Chiclayo, Peru

Livia-Córdova, Giovana Nancy; Burga-Cisterna, Cesar; Tello-Torres, Karol; Vasquez-Sanchez, Edgar; Chiroque-Bravo, Gianfranco Alberto; Cárdenas-Callirgos, Jorge

doi:10.21608/ejvs.2025.363878.2668

Toxocara spp. Eggs Contamination in Publics Parks and Gardens from Chiclayo, Peru

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Lambayeque, Perú

² Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Lima, Perú

³ 1 Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, Lambayeque, Perú

⁴ Neotropical Parasitology Research Network (NEOPARNET) - Asociación Peruana de Helmintología e Invertebrados Afines (APHIA), Lima, Perú.

10.21608/ejvs.2025.363878.2668

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a prevalent zoonotic disease in the district La Victoria, Chiclayo, Peru. Monitoring in recreational areas is essential for the implementation of control programs. For this reason, the frequency of Toxocara eggs contamination in public spaces and its association with maintenance status were evaluated. Soil samples from 14 parks and 9 gardens were analyzed from September to December 2019. Sampling was obtained by the 5-point method, collecting 500g of soil at 4 extreme points and 1 center point of each park and garden. The samples were processed using the flotation concentration method with saturated sugar solution (Sheather's method). Soil analysis showed that 100% of the parks and gardens were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. The median number of eggs per 100g of soil in all parks and gardens was 1.6. In addition, a higher level of contamination is found in moderately maintained parks, well maintained parks and parks distributed in the center of the district. It is concluded that the district of La Victoria has high level of contamination of parks and gardens with Toxocara spp. eggs.

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