• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.433-440
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• 2013

Toxocariasis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by larvae of ascarid nematodes of dogs or cats, Toxocara canis or T. cati. Diagnosis of human toxocariasis currently relies on serology that uses T. canis excretory-secretory antigen to detect specific IgG antibodies by ELISA. We investigated the serodiagnostic efficacy of ELISA using crude antigen of T. canis larvae (TCLA). Serum specimens of 64 clinically confirmed toxocariasis, 115 healthy controls, and 119 other tissue-invading helminthiases were screened by ELISA using TCLA. The ELISA using TCLA showed 92.2% (59/64 patient samples) sensitivity and 86.6% (103/119) specificity. Its positive diagnostic predictivity was 78.7% and negative predictivity was 97.8%. No serum of healthy controls reacted but that of anisakiasis (45.5%), gnathostomiasis (19.2%), clonorchiasis (15.8%), sparganosis (11.1%), and cysticercosis (6.3%) cross-reacted. Immunoblot analysis on TCLA recognized antigenic proteins of 28- and 30-kDa bands in their dominant protein quantity and strong blotting reactivity. The present results indicate that the ELISA using our TCLA antigen is acceptable by the sensitivity and specificity for serodiagnosis of human toxocariasis. ELISA with TCLA is recommended to make differential diagnosis for patients with any sign of organ infiltration and eosinophilia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.525-530
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• 2013

The ascarids, Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina, are probably the most common gastrointestinal helminths encountered in dogs. In order to understand biological differences of 2 ascarids, we analyzed gene expression profiles of female adults of T. canis and T. leonina using CLC Genomics Workbench, and the results were compared with those of free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. A total of 2,880 and 7,949 ESTs were collected from T. leonina and T. canis, respectively. The length of ESTs ranged from 106 to 4,637 bp with an average insert size of 820 bp. Overall, our results showed that most functional gene annotations of 2 ascarids were quite similar to each other in 3 major categories, i.e., cellular component, biological process, and molecular function. Although some different transcript expression categories were found, the distance was short and it was not enough to explain their different lifestyles. However, we found distinguished transcript differences between ascarid parasites and free-living nematodes. Understanding evolutionary genetic changes might be helpful for studies of the lifestyle and evolution of parasites.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2015

Toxocariasis is a soil-transmitted helminthozoonosis due to infection of humans by larvae of Toxocara canis. The disease could produce cognitive and behavioral disturbances especially in children. Meanwhile, in our modern era, the incidence of immunosuppression has been progressively increasing due to increased incidence of malignancy as well as increased use of immunosuppressive agents. The present study aimed at comparing some of the pathological and immunological alterations in the brain of normal and immunosuppressed mice experimentally infected with T. canis. Therefore, 180 Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 groups including normal (control) group, immunocompetent T. canis-infected group, immunosuppressed group (control), and immunosuppressed infected group. Infected mice were subjected to larval counts in the brain, and the brains from all mice were assessed for histopathological changes, astrogliosis, and IL-5 mRNA expression levels in brain tissues. The results showed that under immunosuppression, there were significant increase in brain larval counts, significant enhancement of reactive gliosis, and significant reduction in IL-5 mRNA expression. All these changes were maximal in the chronic stage of infection. In conclusion, the immunopathological alterations in the brains of infected animals were progressive over time, and were exaggerated under the effect of immunosuppression as did the intensity of cerebral infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.11
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• pp.575-581
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• 2021

Background: Toxocariasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in humans. Various types of T. canis are important. Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Toxocara spp. in pediatrics in the context of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Sciences, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies published between January 2000 and December 2019 that report the prevalence of Toxocara spp. in pediatrics. The evaluation of articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria was performed by 2 researchers individually. Results: The results of 31 relevant studies indicated that the prevalence of Toxocara spp. was 3%-79% in 10,676 cases. The pooled estimate of global prevalence of Toxocara spp. in pediatrics was 30 (95% confidence interval, 22%-37%; I²=99.11%; P=0.00). The prevalence was higher in Asian populations than in European, American, and African populations. Conclusion: Health policymakers should be more attentive to future research and approaches to Toxocara spp. and other zoonotic diseases to improve culture and identify socioeconomically important factors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.135-146
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• 2020

Purpose To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 10 cases of Toxocara canis myelitis and to analyze these findings to aid in the diagnosis of this condition. Materials and Methods From June 2015 to March 2018, we retrospectively analyzed the electronic medical records and MR images of patients who were diagnosed with Toxocara canis myelitis. The analysis of the MR images was based on a discussion between an experienced spinal radiologist and a radiology resident. Results This study classified MRI findings into the following two types. Type 1 was defined as central and diffuse T2 high signal intensity on the axial plane, which was observed in 50% of all cases. All lesions showed avid enhancement, mostly in the posterolateral or posterior region (4 cases, 80%). Type 2 was defined as wedge-shaped or focal T2 high signal intensity in the posterolateral or posterior region and corresponded to the remaining 50% of the cases. In this case, the extent of the lesion was relatively small and contrast enhancement was observed in only one case. Conclusion This study revealed that various imaging findings could be observed in cases of Toxocara canis myelitis, and the findings were classified into two types.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.8.1-8.12
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• 2023

Background: Intestinal parasites in livestock cause huge economic setbacks. Moreover, these parasites can threaten human health when also present in companion animals. Objectives: The study examined the prevalence and burden of intestinal parasites among roaming/migrating animals (goats, sheep, cattle, and dogs) to provide insights into the risk of potential human parasitic infections. Methods: A total of 1,741 fecal samples from goats (n = 920), sheep (n = 335), cattle (n = 230) and dogs (n = 256) were obtained randomly across 18 local government areas in Edo State, Nigeria. The parasite samples were recovered and identified under a microscope. Molecular tools were used to identify Toxocara spp. Results: Eighteen different parasites were isolated. Among the different groups of parasites observed, nematodes occurred the most, followed by protozoans. Among nematodes, Haemonchus was most prevalent in goats (28.04%) and sheep (29.85%), while Strongyloides (10.86%) and Bunostomum (8.69%) were relatively high in cattle. Strongyloides (3.9%), hookworm (3.9%), and Toxocara (3.12%) were the predominant parasites in dogs. For protozoan parasites, Eimeria was most common in all 4 animal hosts. Several goats (2.39%) and sheep (2.38%) tested positive for Fasciola spp. Molecular analysis confirmed Toxocara canis in dogs for the first time in Nigeria. Conclusions: The major parasites recovered from these roaming/migrating animals have zoonotic potentials that can threaten human health.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.612-616
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• 1985

A prominent effect of prolactin was observed on the migration behaviour of T.canis larvae in 2 months old puppies, Four cross- breed puppies were used in this studies and each puppy was infected with 3000 infective eggs. One of 4 puppies used for control

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-74
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• 1997

In case of tissue invading nematode, proteolytic enzyme was required at their parasitic life. Proteinases obtained from these parasites(Toxocara canis, Ansakis spp. and Trichinella spiralis) were extracted, isolated and further purified. And then the analysis for activity and inhibitory effect of proteinases were performed by appropriate substrate. Determination of protein as a circulating antigen was done in use of infected animal serum with above parasites, respectively. For above experimental objects, following procedures were performed. First, enzymatic activity was measured in use of azocasein and inhibitory effect of porteinase were studied by various inhibitors. Second, partially purified proteins containing enzymatic activity were obtained by ion exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration and electrophoretic elution. Third, role of the partially purified protein as a circulating antigen. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Enzymatic activity of each nematode proteinase was varied according to pH. Optimal pH of Toxocara canis, Ansakis spp. and Trichinella spiralis were pH 6.0, pH 5.5 and pH 6.5, respectively. The optimal molarity of buffer was 0.1M phosphate buffer. Although little difference between these proteinases was observed, temperature stability was at least maintained at $4^{\circ}C$ until 5 days. 2. In case of Ansakis spp. and Toxocara canis, enzymatic activity of these proteinases was considerably inhibited by Leupeptin and EDTA. For maximum enzymatic activity of above proteinases, it was required that cysteine residue of enzyme should be protected. And it was suggested that metallo type was contained in enzyme active site. Proteinase of Trichinella spiralis contained metallo type also. 3. Although partial purification was performed in Ansakis spp. and Toxocara canis, proteins maintaining enzymatic activity were identified as a circulating antigen. From SDS-PAGE and immunoblot, 25 kDa was presented in Ansakis spp.. Specific antigen of Toxocara cains was 110 kDa protein fraction. 55 and 42 kDa proteins were reacted with normal serum. Trichinella spiralis 60 kDa protein fraction was successfully purified from excretory materials in culture. As a result of immune-reaction with Trichinella spiralis infected serum, highly purified 60 kDa protein was maintained antigenicity until final purification step.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2001

In order to survey the prevalence of parasites in soil from playground in a detached dwelling area, 162 samples were taken from playground 54 unit. The survey was carried out during 3 months from july in 2000 to september in 2000. The results were obtained as follows : 1. Eggs of Toxocara canis were detected in 30 samples (18.5％) from 162 cases of playground. 2. The 3 kinds of eggs were isolated from the soil of playground. Those were Stronglyoides spp 23.5%, Toxocara canis 18.5% and Trichuris vulpis 4.3%. 3. It was mixed infestation such as single (74.5%), double (23.7%) and triple(1.6%).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2000

In order to survey the prevalence of parasites in soil from playground in a housing development testate, 368 samples were taken from playground 184 unit. The survey was carried out during 2 months from september in 1999 to October in 1999. The results were obtained as follows; 1. Eggs of toxocara canis were detected in 25 samples(6.8%) from 368 cases of playground. 2. The 3 kinds of eggs were isolated from the soil of playground. Those were strongyloides spp 13.9%, toxocara canis 6.8% and toxascaris leonina 2.4%. 3. It was mixed infestation such as single (80.0%) and double (20.0%).