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Toxocariasis: a silent threat with a progressive public health impact

Chen, Jia; Liu, Quan; Liu, Guo-Hua; Zheng, Wen-Bin; Hong, Sung-Jong; Sugiyama, Hiromu; Zhu, Xing-Quan; Elsheikha, Hany M.

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Authors

Jia Chen

Quan Liu

Guo-Hua Liu

Wen-Bin Zheng

Sung-Jong Hong

Hiromu Sugiyama

Xing-Quan Zhu



Abstract

Background: Toxocariasis is a neglected parasitic zoonosis that afflicts millions of the pediatric and adolescent populations worldwide, especially in impoverished communities. This disease is caused by infection with the larvae of Toxocara canis and T. cati, the most ubiquitous intestinal nematode parasite in dogs and cats, respectively. In this article, recent advances in the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and pharmacotherapies that have been used in the treatment of toxocariasis are reviewed.
Main text: Over the past two decades, we have come far in our understanding of the biology and epidemiology of toxocariasis. However, lack of laboratory infrastructure in some countries, lack of uniform case definitions and limited surveillance infrastructure are some of the challenges that hindered the estimation of global disease burden. Toxocariasis encompasses four clinical forms: visceral, ocular, covert and neural. Incorrect or misdiagnosis of any of these disabling conditions can result in severe health consequences and considerable medical care spending. Fortunately, multiple diagnostic modalities are available, which if effectively used together with the administration of appropriate pharmacologic therapies, can minimize any unnecessary patient morbidity.
Conclusions: Although progress has been made in the management of toxocariasis patients, there remains much work to be done. Implementation of new technologies and better understanding of the pathogenesis of toxocariasis can identify new diagnostic biomarkers, which may help in increasing diagnostic accuracy. Also, further clinical research breakthroughs are needed to develop better ways to effectively control and prevent this serious disease.

Citation

Chen, J., Liu, Q., Liu, G., Zheng, W., Hong, S., Sugiyama, H., …Elsheikha, H. M. (in press). Toxocariasis: a silent threat with a progressive public health impact. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7(1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-018-0437-0

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 9, 2018
Online Publication Date Jun 13, 2018
Deposit Date Jun 15, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Infectious Diseases of Poverty
Electronic ISSN 2049-9957
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 7
Issue 1
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-018-0437-0
Keywords Toxocara canis, Toxocariasis, Zoonosis, Larva migrans, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Control
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/937580
Publisher URL https://idpjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40249-018-0437-0

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