Contamination Rate of Toxocara Spp. Eggs In the Public Parks of Tabriz City: A Short Report

The visceral larva migrans (VLM) is a syndrom observed in human infected with helminth eggs such as the Toxocara spp.، that usually infects dogs and cats. Considering the risk factors involved in the occurrence of VLM، particularly important role of these animal populations، this study was conducted to investigate the contamination rate of Toxocara SPP. eggs in the public parks of Tabriz city، Iran. Materials and Metods: In this cross-sectional study، 75 soil samples were collected from total existing public parks in Tabriz city from september 2008 to september 2009. Soil samples were collected from 4 distinct sites in the same area. The flotation material was analyzed under the light microscope. Toxocara SPP. eggs were found in 28 samples of total 300 taken samples from 75 public parks showed a contamination rate of 9. 3%. The number of observed Toxocara eggs in each microscopic field was varied from 1-7. Low rate of contamination with Toxocara SPP. eggs in Tabriz city''s parks might be due to the lower dog population and cultural differences of this city compared to other cities of the world.