The prevalence, pathogenesis and control of canine and human toxocariosis in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Five hundred and sixty four dogs of under 3 years of age from a total of 1,620 that were presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Clinic at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan between April and August 2003 were screened for Toxocara canis. Also a total of 128 children of below 11 years of age from some schools at the immediate vicinities of 5 playgrounds in Ibadan, from a total of 1,012 volunteers were clinically examined and scored on given guidelines for the diagnosis of Viscera Larva Migrans (VLM). They were again screened by the Toxocara-Elisa assay for VLM, while their area playgrounds were evaluated for T. canis eggs. Group prevalence for canine Toxocariosis was 64.9% by the flotation method, while VLM was 87.5% by the ELISA. Mean T. canis egg counts were significantly higher( p<0.05) than the 2.1 eggs/5.0 grams of soil recommended for human safety from ascariosis in the two unfenced playgrounds at Bodija and Ijokodo areas than in the other three that are fenced. The most susceptible group (2 – 5 yrs) had the highest titre for T. canis(1.62 – 3.10E) and also came from these high “risk” playgrounds at Bodija and Ijokodo. Dog faecal contamination of soils was observed to be higher in the same unfenced playgrounds than in the fenced. While all playgrounds are recommended for fencing, veterinarians are also challenged to intensify control efforts on dogs by using larvicidal anthelminthics to reduce environmental contamination. Children should be treated periodically,and also educated formally on the need to develop a good personal hygiene habits in order to avoid the dangers of both the VLM and the more serious OLM.

Keywords: Faeces, Ibadan, Nigeria, Prevalence, Ibadan, Soil, Toxocariosis