Feline Toxocariasis as a Hidden Driver of Human Exposure: High Burden in Cats from Northeastern Iran

Human toxocariasis is a neglected zoonotic disease of global concern, and cats serve as an important but often overlooked reservoir. Free-roaming and stray cats contribute significantly to environmental contamination with Toxocara cati eggs, posing risks to public health. Northeastern Iran represents a high-risk area with limited epidemiological data on feline toxocariasis. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October ۲۰۱۷ to July ۲۰۱۸ across ten counties in northeastern Iran using stratified cluster sampling. Fresh fecal samples from ۲۳۶ cats were collected and examined using the formalin–ether concentration technique. Risk factors including age, animal type (stray versus companion), place of residence, and anthelmintic treatment history were evaluated using χ² test and logistic regression. Overall prevalence of T. cati infection was ۳۴.۷% (۸۲/۲۳۶). Stray cats had significantly higher prevalence than companion cats (۳۸.۸% versus ۱۵.۰%, p=۰.۰۰۴). Cats aged ≤۱ year exhibited markedly higher infection rates compared with adults (۷۵.۹% versus ۱۰.۹%, p<۰.۰۰۱). Untreated cats were significantly more likely to be infected than those receiving anthelmintic treatment (۳۹.۳% versus ۸.۶%, p=۰.۰۰۱). No significant difference was observed between urban and rural cats. Feline toxocariasis is highly prevalent in northeastern Iran, with young, stray, and untreated cats constituting primary reservoirs. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated One Health strategies combining veterinary care, community-based deworming programs, and public health education to reduce zoonotic transmission risk

کلیدواژه ها:

Toxocara cati ، feline toxocariasis ، zonotic helminths ، One Health ، northeastern Iran