Toxocara spp. and other helminths in squares and parks of Ciudad Bolivar, Bolivar State (Venezuela)

INTRODUCTION. Visceral larva migrans, a syndrome observed in humans, is caused by larva of parasitic helminths, such as Toxocara spp., which usually infect dogs and cats. Among the risk factors involved in the incidence of this syndrome, the size of these animal populations is particularly important. Ciudad Bolivar (Bolivar State, Venezuela) is a city with a large dog population. This fact has led to an effort to determine of prevalence of eggs from Toxocara spp. and other helminths in public squares and parks in this city. METHODS. Twenty-five squares and parks were selected from five areas of the city. Soil samples (20 sites) and dog stools (12 sites) were collected from four separate parts of each square or park. Samples were processed by spontaneous sedimentation and saturated sodium solution methods. RESULTS. Among the 70 squares and parks in Ciudad Bolivar, 25 were studied (35,7%). Toxocara eggs were identified in 55% of soil samples and 16.7% of dog stools. Ancylostoma spp. was detected in 61.1% of stools evaluated. There were no differences in helminth detection related to the area of the city where samples were obtained. CONCLUSION. Public parks and squares in Ciudad Bolivar showed a high percentage of contamination by dog helminths. These results suggest a potential risk of zoonotic transmission of dog parasites in these public places.