Vahid Raissi1, Omid Raiesi1, Soudabeh Etemadi2, Farzaneh Firoozeh3, Muhammad Getso1, Afkar Muslim Hadi4, Mohammad Zibaei5. 1. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. 3. Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. 4. Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. 5. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study is to assess environmental contamination by <i>Toxocara</i> species eggs in public places in the city of Ilam, Ilam Province, southwest Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2018 and March 2019, 130 soil samples were collected from public places of 5 district municipalities of Ilam, southwest Iran. Soil samples were examined by microscopy following flotation method by sodium nitrate. RESULTS: Soil analysis showed that 5.88% of the soils stored, 52.54% from gardens, 29.42% from rubbish, and 11.72% from green spaces were contaminated with <i>Toxocara</i> spp. eggs. In total, 13.08 % of soil samples (17/130) were positive for <i>Toxocara</i> eggs (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that care should be taken when using soil from gardens, green spaces and rubbish, and also should be seriously considered because of the potential issues of toxocariasis and also the risk to the public.
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study is to assess environmental contamination by <i>Toxocara</i> species eggs in public places in the city of Ilam, Ilam Province, southwest Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2018 and March 2019, 130 soil samples were collected from public places of 5 district municipalities of Ilam, southwest Iran. Soil samples were examined by microscopy following flotation method by sodium nitrate. RESULTS: Soil analysis showed that 5.88% of the soils stored, 52.54% from gardens, 29.42% from rubbish, and 11.72% from green spaces were contaminated with <i>Toxocara</i> spp. eggs. In total, 13.08 % of soil samples (17/130) were positive for <i>Toxocara</i> eggs (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that care should be taken when using soil from gardens, green spaces and rubbish, and also should be seriously considered because of the potential issues of toxocariasis and also the risk to the public.
Entities:
Keywords:
Iran; Toxocara eggs; contamination; public places; soil