MICROSCOPIC AND NESTED-PCR DETECTION OF TOXOCARA CANIS AND TOXOCARA CATI IN DOGS AND CATS FROM AL-QADISIYAH PROVINCE

Toxocara cati and Toxocara canis are roundworms, nematodes belonging to the order Ascaridida. They are common intestinal parasites in pets, particularly cats and dogs, respectively. These parasites are significant because they are zoonotic diseases, meaning humans can be infected accidentally through the ingestion of parasite eggs, leading to various illnesses. This study investigated T. cati and T. canis in cats and dogs in Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, from December 2024 to September 2025. It involved microscopic examination of 200 fecal samples (100 from cats and 100 from dogs). The results showed an infection rate of (19%) in cats and (16%) in dogs. According to lifestyle, the infection rate was higher in stray cats and dogs than in domestic cats and dogs, the results in cats showed statistically significant difference (P= 0.045), while in dogs there is no significant difference (P= 0.568). According to age and living site, the infection rate in kittens and puppies, also rural areas higher than among adults and urban areas, and the results were statistically significant difference at (P ≤ 0.05), while the differences according to gender and months did not have a statistically significant at (P>0.05). The positive samples were confirmed using molecular methods by the Nested PCR technique, which is considered more sensitivity and specificity. The results demonstrated the importance of studying the parasite due to its pathological and economic impact on domestic animals.