Incidencia de toxocara canis en heces de perros recolectadas en parques de la ciudad de Machala

Abstract

The present study focuses on determining the incidence of Toxocara canis eggs in dog feces collected from parks in the city of Machala during the year 2023. Toxocara canis is a zoonotic nematode of public health significance due to the risk it poses to humans, particularly children, when they come into contact with contaminated soil. The specific objectives of this study were to identify the presence of T. canis eggs using coproparasitological techniques, including direct smear, flotation, and modified Faust methods. A total of 200 fecal samples were analyzed, collected from eight strategically selected parks across different zones of Machala, with an average of 25 samples per park. The results indicated that 8% of the samples were contaminated with Toxocara canis eggs. The flotation technique demonstrated higher sensitivity (81.25%) compared to the direct smear method (37.5%). Although more labor-intensive, the modified Faust technique proved useful in confirming positive findings previously detected. Additionally, the risk factor analysis revealed that parks with higher contamination levels had a significant presence of stray dogs and lacked proper waste disposal stations. This supports the hypothesis that inadequate canine waste management is a critical contributing factor. The findings of this study underscore the need to implement canine deworming programs, educational campaigns on responsible pet ownership, and environmental control measures in public spaces. Such actions could significantly reduce T. canis egg contamination, benefiting both public health and animal welfare in the city of Machala.