Original Article

Epidemiological Study of Toxocara Eggs in the Soil of Public Parks in Iran with an Emphasis on Climatic and Seasonal Diversity

Abstract

Background: Toxocariasis is a globally important zoonotic infection acquired through contact with soil contaminated by Toxocara eggs. Despite its relevance, comprehensive data on environmental contamination across Iran’s climatic zones are lacking. We assessed the presence of Toxocara eggs in public park soils with emphasis on climatic and seasonal variation.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from summer 2024 to spring 2025 in three climatic zones of Iran (Mountain, humid, and hot–dry). A total of 1,445 soil samples were randomly collected from a depth of 4–5 cm. Samples were examined using sucrose flotation and direct smear techniques. Microscopic identification of eggs was performed at 400× magnification.
Results: Toxocara eggs were detected in all regions studied. The humid zone showed the highest contamination rate, reaching 51% in summer. In the mountain zone, prevalence peaked in spring (44%) and was lowest in winter (12%). In the hot–dry zone, the highest contamination occurred in autumn (32%) and the lowest in summer (14%). These differences indicate the influence of climatic and seasonal conditions on egg survival.
Conclusion: The widespread detection of Toxocara eggs in public park soils highlights a considerable risk for human exposure, particularly among children. Improved environmental hygiene, responsible pet management, and public education are required. Future studies should incorporate molecular confirmation and longitudinal monitoring within a One Health framework to support targeted interventions.

1. Magnaval JF, Glickman LT, Dorchies P, Morassin B. Highlights of human toxocariasis. Korean J Parasitol. 2001;39(1):1–11.
2. Macpherson CN. The epidemiology and public health importance of toxocariasis: a zoonosis of global importance. Int J Parasitol. 2013;43(12–13):999–1008.
3. Overgaauw PA, Van Knapen F. Aspects of Toxocara epidemiology: human toxocariasis. Crit Rev Microbiol. 1997;23(3):215–31.
4. Glickman LT, Schantz PM. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of zoonotic toxocariasis. Epidemiol Rev. 1981;3:230–50.
5. Vafae Eslahi A, Badri M, Khorshidi A, et al. Prevalence of Toxocara and Toxascaris infection among humans and animals in Iran: a meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis. 2020;20:20.
6. Akhlaghi L, Oormazdi H, Sarrafnia A, Vaziri S, et al. Survey of seroepidemiology of toxocariasis in children aged 2–12 years in Mahidasht region, Kermanshah, Iran. Iran Univ Med Sci J. 2005;13(52):41–48. (In Persian)
7. Rezaei F, Karimi Dehkordi M, et al. Frequency of Toxocara egg contamination in public parks of Kermanshah city. Iran Vet J. 2022;18(4):39–49.
8. Maraghi S, Jafari KM, Sadjjadi SM, et al. Contamination of Abadan public parks soil with Toxocara spp. eggs. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2014;12(1):86.
9. Ghorbani Ranjbary A, Shafie A, Anamipor A, et al. Frequency of Toxocara Egg in Public Parks Shiraz/Iran. J Kerman Univ Med Sci. 2014;21(2):174–179.
10. Yakhchali M, Ebn-Adamnezhad A. Toxocara canis infection in dogs and soil of public parks in Piranshahr, Iran. Vet Res. 2014;69(4):355–362.
11. Khazan H, Khazaei M, Tabaee SS, et al. Prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks of Tehran, Iran. Iran J Parasitol. 2012;7(3):38–42.
12. Liravizadeh S, Abdolahi Khabisi S, Salimi Khorashad A, et al. Molecular determination of Toxocara spp. eggs isolated from public parks and playgrounds in Zahedan, Southeast Iran. J Parasitol Res. 2024;2024:2132696.
13. Wakid MH, Azhar EI, Zafar TA. Intestinal parasitic infection among food handlers in Makkah during Hajj season 1428 H. J King Abdulaziz Univ Med Sci. 2009;16:39–52.
14. Sharifi Sarasiabi K, Madani A, Zare S. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary school children in Bandar Abbas. Hormozgan Univ Med Sci J. 2002;4(5):25–30.
15. Maraghi S, Rafiei A, Hajihossein R, et al. Seroprevalence of toxocariasis in hypereosinophilic individuals in Ahvaz, Iran. J Helminthol. 2012;86(2):241–4.
16. Dzido M, Michalski K. Risk factors associated with soil-transmitted helminths in dog feces contaminating public areas in Warsaw, Poland. Animals. Animals (Basel). 2024;14(3):450.
17. Stone SD, Smith SM, Johnson DC. Parasites in the park: Toxocara species in Oklahoma City parks and playgrounds. J Parasitol. 2018;104(4):434–439.
18. Cárdenas P, Alva S, García V. Toxocara spp. eggs contamination in public parks of Chiclayo, Peru. Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences. 2025;56(8): 1939-1943.
19. Aydenizöz-Özkay S, Göz Y. Presence of Toxocara spp. in beach sand: Kuşadası case. Turkiye Parazitol Derg. 2017;41(3):136–141.
20. Berenji F, Movahedi Rudy AG, et al. Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks of Mashhad and Khaf. Iran J Parasitol. 2015;10(2):286–9.
21. Jafari S, Norouzi R, Barabadi B. Contamination of public parks with Toxocara eggs in Zanjan city: a short report. JRUMS. 2019;17(12):1181–1188.
22. Garedaghi Y, Shabestari-Asl S. Contamination of Tabriz public parks with Toxocara spp. eggs: a short report. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci. 2012;11(2):173–178.
23. Nematollahi A, Shahbazi P, Nasrollahi N. Soil contamination of public parks with Toxocara spp. eggs and its relation to human toxocariasis in Tabriz. J Zoonotic Dis. 2017;2(1):14–18.
24. Ghomashlooyan M, Falahati M, Mohaghegh MA, et al. Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Isfahan public parks. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 2015;5(S1):S93–S95.
25. Viesy S, Abdi J, Rezaei Z, Karimian M. Prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil samples from Ilam public parks. J Clin Diagn Res. 2020;14(7):DC23–DC25.
26. Zibaei M, Bahadory S, Cardillo N, et al. Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks of Karaj, Iran. Int J Enteric Pathog. 2017;5(2):45–48.
27. Pezeshki A, Haniloo A, Alejafar A, et al. Detection of Toxocara spp. eggs in public places of Ardabil, Iran. Iran J Parasitol. 2017;12(1):136–142.
28. Ebrahimizadeh F, Kiani Z, Sahranavard F, et al. Prevalence of Toxocara eggs in public parks of Larestan, Iran. Med J Mashhad Univ Med Sci. 2018;61(5):1257–1263.
29. Mohamadi S, Eslamirad Z, Hajihossein R, et al. Soil contamination with Toxocara eggs in public parks of Arak. J Arak Univ Med Sci. 2016;18(12):67–73.
30. Zibaei M, Abdollahpour F, Birjandi M, et al. Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Khorramabad public parks. Nepal Med Coll J. 2010;12(2):63–5.
31. Tavassoli M, Hadian M, Charesaz S, et al. Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks of Urmia, Iran. Iran J Parasitol. 2008;3(3):24–29.
Files
IssueVol 20 No 4 (2025) QRcode
SectionOriginal Article(s)
Keywords
Toxocara Soil Public parks Iran Climate
Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
1.
Shahbakhsh M, Akhzari S. Epidemiological Study of Toxocara Eggs in the Soil of Public Parks in Iran with an Emphasis on Climatic and Seasonal Diversity. Iran J Parasitol. 2025;20(4):510-516.