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The Zoonotic Dog Roundworm Toxocara canis, a Worldwide Burden of Public Health

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Dog Parasites Endangering Human Health

Part of the book series: Parasitology Research Monographs ((Parasitology Res. Monogr.,volume 13))

Abstract

The zoonotic dog roundworm Toxocara canis infects not only a broad range of canids as definitive hosts, but also affects humans as paratenic hosts after accidental infection. In humans, clinical apparent toxocarosis (or toxocariasis) is classified into four different syndromes: visceral larva migrans (VLM), ocular larva migrans (OLM), neurotoxocarosis (NT) and covert toxocarosis. Symptoms range from abdominal pain to irreversible blindness or meningitis and cognitive disorders. Nevertheless, toxocarosis is a neglected zoonotic disease, which is often undiagnosed. Until today, the parasite remains enigmatic in many aspects. This chapter aims to summarise key characteristics of the biology of T. canis, risk factors that lead to human infection, clinical presentation and relevance of human toxocarosis and possibilities of control and prevention measures. Further research efforts as well as raising public awareness for this zoonotic dog parasite are essential to improve the control of this challenging zoonotic infection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany

    Patrick Waindok, Marie-Kristin Raulf, Andrea Springer & Christina Strube

  2. Immunology Unit and Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany

    Marie-Kristin Raulf

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  1. Patrick Waindok
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  2. Marie-Kristin Raulf
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  3. Andrea Springer
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  4. Christina Strube
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Correspondence to Christina Strube .

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  1. Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany

    Christina Strube

  2. Department of Parasitology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

    Heinz Mehlhorn

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Waindok, P., Raulf, MK., Springer, A., Strube, C. (2021). The Zoonotic Dog Roundworm Toxocara canis, a Worldwide Burden of Public Health. In: Strube, C., Mehlhorn, H. (eds) Dog Parasites Endangering Human Health. Parasitology Research Monographs, vol 13. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53230-7_2

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