Soil Contamination with <i>Toxocara</i> spp. Eggs in Public Parks of Malayer, West of Iran: Implications for Zoonotic Risk

Background: Toxocariasis is a prevalent zoonotic infection caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. This parasite is transmitted via the ingestion of embryonated eggs present in contaminated soil, often through accidental ingestion during outdoor activities. Globally, the average soil contamination rate of Toxocara spp. eggs is estimated at 21%, while the corresponding rate has been reported to be 16% in Iran. Given the limited data on Toxocara spp. infections in both humans and animals in Malayer and considering the public health importance of toxocariasis, the present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil samples collected from public parks in Malayer. Methods: A total of 200 soil samples were collected from 10 public parks in Malayer in 2023. The samples were gathered from a depth of 2–5 cm above the soil surface and subsequently transported to the parasitology laboratory for analysis. The environmental conditions of each sampling site were also documented. To detect Toxocara spp. eggs, the flotation method with saturated sugar water was used, and the eggs were examined under a light microscope at×40. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Of the 200 soil samples analyzed, 16 (8%) tested positive for Toxocara spp. eggs, while the remaining 184 samples (92%) were negative. No contamination was detected in two of the ten public parks (20%), whereas the other eight public parks showed varying levels of contamination. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of Toxocara spp. egg contamination in the public parks of Malayer is lower than in other regions, the presence of dogs and cats in the parks poses a potential health risk for toxocariasis to the public.