Background: The effect of temperature and humidity on the maturation of TOXOCARA CATI eggs in an in vitro system was investigated.Methods: Suspensions of TOXOCARA CATI eggs, with 5% formalin/saline or 2.5% formalin/ringer were prepared and maintained at 37oC under 40% humidity or at 25 oC under 98% humidity for 3 weeks for egg development.Results: The suspension sample mixed by 2.5% formalin/ringer and maintained at 25 oC and 98% humidity could fully embryonate the eggs of TOXOCARA CATI in 3 weeks.Conclusion: The main advantage of this method is the increase of recovery and also reducing of the eggs maturation time.

Background: TOXOCARA CATI is considered as one of the main etiological agents of toxocariasis with global and regional importance. As there is no information on proteomics of T. CATI, herein, we reported the results obtained by proteomic analysis of somatic proteins extract, using a mass spectrometry (LC– MS/MS) approach. Methods: Somatic extract fractions were separated by two-dimensional SDSPAGE and were electro blotted on to PVDF membranes for immunoblot analysis, then collected the immunogenic spots which response of antibodies of the paratenic hosts (mice) to the antigens ( Mashhad, 2017), and analyzed by LC– MS/MS. The LC-MS/MS data were analyzed by Mascot database, Taxonomy TOXOCARA, and common contaminants, in Omics Center, Biotechnology Medical University of Graz (Austria, 2018). Result: The protein spots were isolated between 15– 140 kDa ranges using 3– 10 non-linear IPG strips and Brilliant Blue Coomassie. Ten proteins were characterized as immunogenic proteins, seven of them were identified and three of them were unknown proteins. Conclusion: This study provided additional information about the somatic antigens of T. CATI, which can lead to the development of new strategies for novel immuno-modulators, drug targets, subunit vaccines and immunodiagnostic kits for toxocariasis.

Background: This study was performed to determine the prevalence and to identify precisely TOXOCARA spp., which infects feral cats in Alexandria, Egypt based on morphological and molecular approaches. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 feral cats trapped from different areas of Alexandria during 2018. Adult male and female worms were recovered from small intestinal contents after euthanasia and dissection of cats. Distinct morphological features were initially determined using available keys, and then after amplifiCATIon and sequencing of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) gene was carried out and phylogenetic trees were constructed. Results: Forty out of 100 cats were infected with TOXOCARA spp. Intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 9 worms/cat, with a mean of 2. 27± 1. 6. All isolates were confirmed as T. CATI based on morphological features and the sequence of nad1 gene. Results of the current study clearly show that Egyptian T. CATI isolate examined herein is genetically similar to those recorded in other countries. Conclusion: The current work revealed high prevalence of T. CATI in feral cats in the study area. This is the first genetic study that confirms T. CATI from feral cats in Egypt. In addition, it demonstrated the suitability and need of genetic markers such as nad1 for identifiCATIon of TOXOCARA spp. Furthermore highlights the public health importance of T. CATI in Egypt.

Background: Toxocariasis is a zoonotic helminthic infection of humans and animals caused by the larvae of intestinal parasites of dogs and cats (TOXOCARA canis and TOXOCARA CATI, respectively). These nematodes develop in to their adult stage in the intestines of cats and dogs.Three clinical entities have been recognized in humans, visceral larva migrans, ocular larva migrans and covert toxocariasis. Eosinophilia is a common finding in infected patientsObjectives: In this study the frequency of toxocariasis in eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic individuals referred to the laboratory of Abadan health centers was compared.Materials and Methods: Serum samples were collected from individuals attending the laboratory of health centers for any medical problem and were tested for complet blood count (CBC). The samples of patients were divided in to two groups, those with more than 10% peripheral eosinophils, as the eosinophilic group (n=54) and those with normal eosinophils (0-3%) as the non-eosinophilic group (n =54). Samples were examined for anti-oxocara IgG by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed western blotting.Results: Anti-oxocara IgG was detected in the sera of six (11.11%) cases from the eosinophilic group and two (3.7%) of the non-eosinophilic group by the ELISA method, but all had negative results for the western blot analysis.Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that the eosinophilic individuals might beexposed to other helminthic infections or allergic agents. Further studies are required with more samples with different ages and occupations.

Background: The jungle cats (Felis chaus) are native to Asia, and found in Iran. Although north of Iran has a wide distribution of jungle cats, there is not any data about prevalence of parasitic infections in the population of these cats. Methods: From 2012 to 2015, seven specimens of the wild jungle cat (Felis chaus) from north of Iran, Mazandaran Province, northern Iran were collected and examined for their endoparasites and pathological lesions which were caused by the parasites. Results: Parasitological evaluations showed several species of endoparasites in the small intestine of cats including nematode (TOXOCARA CATI), trematode (Alaria alata), and cestode (Mesocestoides lineatus). All of the examined jungle cats were infected to parasitic infections. From the total number of 7 jungle cats T. CATI was found in 6 cats, A. alata in 1 cat, and M. lineatus was recovered from 3 cats. Histopathological samples displayed necrosis, vacuolar degeneration, atrophy, destruction of tissue, hyperemia, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the intestine tissue. Conclusion: This study for the first reported T. CATI, A. alata, and M. lineatus and their pathologic effects in the small intestine of jungle cat.

Background: Human toxocariasis is caused by TOXOCARA canis and CATI, which are the main ascarids of dogs and cats, respectively. Most infected humans are asymptomatic and our understanding of human disease burden is limited by lack of epidemiological studies and insufficient clinical awareness. Objectives: There is no precise report on the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in Ilam children. Therefore, this study found an opportunity to investigate this subject. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 sera of children aged between 2 to 15 years old were collected during March 2016 to February 2017 in urban and rural areas. Demographic variables were filled for each person in accordance with risk factors along with sampling. Some hematological parameters were measured. The sera were examined for anti TOXOCARA canis and CATI antibodies, according to the ELISA kit protocol. Results: Among a total of 300 serum samples, 35 (11. 7%) were positive for anti-TOXOCARA IgG. The infection rates were 5. 3% and 6. 3% in female and male, respectively. There was no significant relationship between gender and TOXOCARA infection rates (P = 0. 59). A total of 26 (17. 3%) of the 150 rural children, and nine (6. 0%) of the 150 urban children were positive. There was a significant relationship between place of living with ELISA tests results (P = 0. 004). Hematologic parameters showed a significant increase in the numbers of peripheral eosinophil in the sample of patients whose sera were positive (P = 0. 037). Conclusions: High prevalence of toxocariasisamongIlam children in the west of Iran can be considered as a public health problem. The evaluating infection control programs in dog and cats are necessary for controlling the disease in this region.