PRESENCE OF ANTI-Toxocara canis ANTIBODIES IN SHEEP

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the nematode Toxocara canis, and less frequently Toxocara cati, whose final hosts are the dog and cat respectively. It is acquired by the ingestion of embryonated parasite eggs; the ingestion of meat from animals carrying cystic larvae plays a central role in this disease. However there is little information available on the prevalence of T. canis infection in humans trough paratenic hosts such as horses, sheep, birds, etc. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of T. canis antibodies in sheep of Ayapango, Mexico State, Mexico.