Molecular Determination of Toxocara spp. Eggs Isolated from Public Parks and Playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast Iran

Background. Human toxocariasis (HT) is a zoonotic disease with a global expansion. Contaminated soil with Toxocara spp. eggs is the main source of human infection, which may lead to severe complications depending on the organs invaded by migrating larvae. Aim. This study is aimed at eliciting the pr...

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Main Authors: Siavash Liravizadeh, Samaneh Abdolahi Khabisi, Alireza Salimi Khorashad, Hadi Mirahmadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Parasitology Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/2132696
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author Siavash Liravizadeh
Samaneh Abdolahi Khabisi
Alireza Salimi Khorashad
Hadi Mirahmadi
author_facet Siavash Liravizadeh
Samaneh Abdolahi Khabisi
Alireza Salimi Khorashad
Hadi Mirahmadi
author_sort Siavash Liravizadeh
collection DOAJ
description Background. Human toxocariasis (HT) is a zoonotic disease with a global expansion. Contaminated soil with Toxocara spp. eggs is the main source of human infection, which may lead to severe complications depending on the organs invaded by migrating larvae. Aim. This study is aimed at eliciting the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks in Zahedan, southeast Iran, and providing new insight into the soil contamination rate in this area using microscopic and molecular methods. Methods. Based on five municipal districts, 240 soil samples were collected from public parks and playgrounds in Zahedan. The modified Sheather’s flotation technique was employed to isolate Toxocara spp. eggs from the soil, followed by microscopic assessment and molecular evaluation of internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (ITS1 and 2 rDNA) using nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) to identify the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs. The Sanger sequence was used to differentiate the Toxocara species. Subsequently, all the sequenced data were blasted and compared with other sequences available in the GenBank. Results. Out of 240 soil samples collected, 7 (2.9%) samples were identified to contain Toxocara spp. eggs using Sheather’s flotation and microscopic techniques. Meanwhile, 19 (7.9%) samples were positive using nested PCR. According to the Sanger sequencing analysis findings, all positive samples were contaminated with Toxocara cati. Conclusion. As evidenced by the obtained results, only T. cati species were detected in public parks and playgrounds in Zahedan; therefore, control and prevention programs against this species should be considered in human and animal communities.
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spelling doaj-art-cd426d9d6e28428492ca59cdbdbcd89a2025-02-03T06:15:14ZengWileyJournal of Parasitology Research2090-00312024-01-01202410.1155/2024/2132696Molecular Determination of Toxocara spp. Eggs Isolated from Public Parks and Playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast IranSiavash Liravizadeh0Samaneh Abdolahi Khabisi1Alireza Salimi Khorashad2Hadi Mirahmadi3Department of Parasitology and MycologyDepartment of Parasitology and MycologyDepartment of Parasitology and MycologyDepartment of Parasitology and MycologyBackground. Human toxocariasis (HT) is a zoonotic disease with a global expansion. Contaminated soil with Toxocara spp. eggs is the main source of human infection, which may lead to severe complications depending on the organs invaded by migrating larvae. Aim. This study is aimed at eliciting the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks in Zahedan, southeast Iran, and providing new insight into the soil contamination rate in this area using microscopic and molecular methods. Methods. Based on five municipal districts, 240 soil samples were collected from public parks and playgrounds in Zahedan. The modified Sheather’s flotation technique was employed to isolate Toxocara spp. eggs from the soil, followed by microscopic assessment and molecular evaluation of internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2 ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (ITS1 and 2 rDNA) using nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) to identify the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs. The Sanger sequence was used to differentiate the Toxocara species. Subsequently, all the sequenced data were blasted and compared with other sequences available in the GenBank. Results. Out of 240 soil samples collected, 7 (2.9%) samples were identified to contain Toxocara spp. eggs using Sheather’s flotation and microscopic techniques. Meanwhile, 19 (7.9%) samples were positive using nested PCR. According to the Sanger sequencing analysis findings, all positive samples were contaminated with Toxocara cati. Conclusion. As evidenced by the obtained results, only T. cati species were detected in public parks and playgrounds in Zahedan; therefore, control and prevention programs against this species should be considered in human and animal communities.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/2132696
spellingShingle Siavash Liravizadeh
Samaneh Abdolahi Khabisi
Alireza Salimi Khorashad
Hadi Mirahmadi
Molecular Determination of Toxocara spp. Eggs Isolated from Public Parks and Playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast Iran
Journal of Parasitology Research
title Molecular Determination of Toxocara spp. Eggs Isolated from Public Parks and Playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast Iran
title_full Molecular Determination of Toxocara spp. Eggs Isolated from Public Parks and Playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast Iran
title_fullStr Molecular Determination of Toxocara spp. Eggs Isolated from Public Parks and Playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast Iran
title_full_unstemmed Molecular Determination of Toxocara spp. Eggs Isolated from Public Parks and Playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast Iran
title_short Molecular Determination of Toxocara spp. Eggs Isolated from Public Parks and Playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast Iran
title_sort molecular determination of toxocara spp eggs isolated from public parks and playgrounds in zahedan southeast iran
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/2132696
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