One Health Perspective on Canine Toxocariasis: Reservoirs, Risk Factors, and Public Health Impact in Northeastern Iran

Canine toxocariasis, caused by Toxocara canis, is an important zoonotic parasitic infection and a major source of environmental contamination with infective eggs. In endemic settings, dogs play a central role in sustaining transmission to humans through contaminated soil, water, food, and fomites. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. canis infection and associated risk factors in dogs from northeastern Iran within a One Health framework. In a cross-sectional population-based survey, ۵۳۸ dogs of different functional types, including companion, pastoral, guard, and stray animals, were sampled from urban and rural areas of Khorasan Razavi Province between ۲۰۱۷ and ۲۰۱۸. Fresh fecal samples were preserved in ۱۰% formalin and examined using the formalin-ether concentration technique. Toxocara eggs were identified by microscopic examination. Epidemiological data including age, sex, residence, animal type, and recent anthelmintic treatment were collected through structured interviews and observation. The overall prevalence of T. canis infection was ۱۵.۱%. Infection was significantly higher in stray dogs (۲۶.۷%) and in rural dogs than in urban dogs. Young dogs were more frequently infected, and dogs that had not received anthelmintic treatment during the previous two months showed a higher infection rate (۲۳%) than treated animals (۰%). The findings indicate that young, stray, rural, and untreated dogs are key reservoirs of T. canis infection and contribute to environmental contamination in northeastern Iran. Integrated veterinary and public health interventions, including routine deworming, stray dog management, and improved sanitation, are essential to reduce zoonotic transmission

کلیدواژه ها:

Toxocara canis ، dogs ، zoonosis ، One Health ، Iran