Investigation of the presence of Toxocara spp in beach sand: the case of Kuşadası.

Contact with contaminated soil and sand with infective eggs of Toxocara spp. is one of the causes of toxocariasis in humans. This study aimed to determine the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs in beach sand with those people frequently in contact in the summer months. The study area is approximately 27-km-long coastline located within the borders of Kuşadası district of Aydın province. In this study, which was carried out between 2021 and 2023, the sedimentation/flotation method was used and samples were examined microscopically. In 2021 and 2022, no eggs and/or larvae were found in the sand samples taken from a depth of 2-5 cm in accordance with the reference method. In 2023, samples were taken after digging the sand until the moist and compact layer (12-15 cm). A total of 30.9% (44/147) of samples containing embryonated and non-embryonated Toxocara spp. eggs were detected in the materials taken from this depth. Toxocara spp. eggs were detected in five of the seven regions (71.4%) included in the study. In addition, larvae and eggs of different helminthic species were also observed. As a result, zoonotic Toxocara spp eggs are present in beach sands that children and adults directly contact. Unlike soil, helminthic eggs live in lower layers in sandy areas.