Prevalence of <i>Toxocara</i> eggs in soil samples from public areas in Ilam city, Western Iran

Background: Human toxocariasis is a neglected zoonotic disease with a global distribution. This study aimed to assess the level of soil contamination in public spaces within Ilam city by examining the presence of Toxocara species eggs, utilizing both microscopic and molecular techniques. Methods: Fifty soil samples were collected from various regions of Ilam city in western Iran. The samples were concentrated using saturated ZnSO4 , and the eggs of the genus Toxocara were observed through microscopic examination. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were then utilized to differentiate between Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. Subsequently, multiple alignment and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to determine the genetic relationship species identified in this study with those previously submitted to GenBank. Results: Toxocara eggs were found in 7 (14%) and 6 (12%) out of 50 soil samples using microscopic and PCR methods, respectively. Based on the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence, 5 (10%) samples were diagnosed as T. canis and 1 (2%) sample as T. cati. Conclusion: The results of this research revealed a relatively high prevalence of Toxocara species in the soil of public places in Ilam city . Since Toxocara species are associated with a range of health complications, health authorities must prioritize the development and implementation of health initiatives and preventive strategies.