Prevalence of Toxocara canis in foxes and contamination of farm environments with this nematode's eggs

Eggs of Toxocara canis were found in 39 (16.95%) out of 230 foxes in which feaces were examined by flotation, decantation and Kato and Miura methods. Adults were found in 28 (15.55%) out of 180 foxes. The intensity of invasion ranged from 1 to 13 parasites. Most of the animals examined were additionally found to be invaded by ancylostoma, Toxascaris leonina, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia hydatigena or Taenia pisiformis. The presence of Toxocara spp. in soil samples from farms and places adjacent to farms was examined by the method of Quinn et al. Eggs of Toxocara spp. were found in 64% of samples collected from cages, 44% of samples collected from the areas protecting the farms and In 38% of samples from places adjacent to farms. From 1 to 8 eggs of Toxocara spp. at different stages of development were present in particular 100 g samples; some of the eggs were spoiled. Contamination of fox and their environment with Toxocara spp. eggs is a threat to farm breeders and farm staff because in infected individuals the larvaes may induce the syndrome of visceral or ocular lan a migrans.