Toxocariasis

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by ocular invasion of second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati, whose definitive hosts are dogs and cats, respectively.

Contacts with dogs (especially puppies) and cats are risk factors, because these animals can carry embryonated eggs in their fur, but the most common route of infection is ingestion of soil/sand or fresh vegetables or fruits contaminated with embryonated eggs that were passed in dog/cat feces. Infection can also be acquired via ingestion of undercooked meat contaminated with encapsulated larvae from an infected non-canine animal that has ingested these eggs. It is associated with uveitis, retinal granuloma, and endophthalmitis, among other ocular lesions.