Toxocariasis in the Americas: Burden and Disease Control

Abstract

Human toxocariasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease that represents extensive morbidity in many countries. Caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, the clinical spectrum of this helminthiasis can be extended from asymptomatic forms up to life-threatening syndromes, such as the visceral larva migrans. Its epidemiology and burden is not clear; many times it is not diagnosed and, in most countries, it is not a notifiable disease. Some recent reviews have shown a large range of variability in terms of reported seroprevalence by countries. In this review, we summarized information regarding human toxocariasis burden of disease and control efforts in the region of the Americas.