The relationship of park maintenance and accessibility to dogs to the presence of Toxocara spp. ova in the soil

Abstract

Three parks in St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, Michigan, were examined for the presence of Toxocara spp. ova in the soil. Nineteen per cent (22/114) of the samples contained ova, and mean density (eggs/5 g soil) was 0.73. The density of two samples, collected at the base of playground equipment in one park, was >2.1, which is considered sufficient for human infection. Subjective assessments of park maintenance and accessibility to dogs were not good indicators of the presence of Toxocara spp. ova.