Dog and cat fur: risk factor for toxocariasis? a review

Abstract

Toxocaracanis gastrointestinal nematodes, prevalent in dogs, and Toxocaracati, in domestic and wild cats, are the etiological agents of a widely distributed parasitic zoonosis: human toxocariasis. The human acts as a terminal paratenic host, where the adult form of the parasite does not develop, but egg hatching in the intestine and the subsequent migration of larvae through the body occur. Studies carried out in recent years indicate that a new route of transmission of Toxocara spp. would be through eggs attached to dog and cat fur. This article presents the studies of many researchers, who analyzed mainly the fur of dogs and one cat in order to evaluate the presence of T. canis and T. cati eggs in them. The largest proportion of eggs was concentrated in the perianal area and tail. Some researchers observed a higher concentration of eggs in puppies. Another difference relates to the origin of the animals: it is more frequent in street animals than in pets. This could be related to the owners who are responsible for the health of their animals and the environment they are surrounded by. The question of the viability of the observed eggs is raised.