[Toxocara spp. and other helminths in squares and parks of Ciudad Bolívar, Bolivar State (Venezuela)].

INTRODUCTION

Visceral larva migrans, a syndrome observed in humans, is caused by larva of parasitic helminths, such as Toxocara spp., which usually infect dogs and cats. Among the risk factors involved in the incidence of this syndrome, the size of these animal populations is particularly important. Ciudad Bolívar (Bolivar State, Venezuela) is a city with a large dog population. This fact has led to an effort to determine of prevalence of eggs from Toxocara spp. and other helminths in public squares and parks in this city.

METHODS

Twenty-five squares and parks were selected from five areas of the city. Soil samples (20 sites) and dog stools (12 sites) were collected from four separate parts of each square or park. Samples were processed by spontaneous sedimentation and saturated sodium solution methods.

RESULTS

Among the 70 squares and parks in Ciudad Bolívar, 25 were studied (35,7%). Toxocara eggs were identified in 55% of soil samples and 16.7% of dog stools. Ancylostoma spp. was detected in 61.1% of stools evaluated. There were no differences in helminth detection related to the area of the city where samples were obtained.

CONCLUSION

Public parks and squares in Ciudad Bolívar showed a high percentage of contamination by dog helminths. These results suggest a potential risk of zoonotic transmission of dog parasites in these public places.