Soil-parasites particularly Toxocara eggs in Egypt

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Parasitology
• Public Health

Background:

• Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a significant global health concern, particularly in developing nations.
• Human and animal feces are primary sources of soil contamination with parasitic stages.
• Children's open defecation practices contribute significantly to environmental parasite load.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and distribution of soil-transmitted helminths in urban and rural areas of Dakahlia and Minia Governorates, Egypt.
• To identify the most common helminthic stages present in the soil.
• To determine the intensity of soil contamination in different environmental settings.

Main Methods:

• Soil samples were collected from urban (Mansoura, El-Minia cities) and rural (Batra, Zohra villages) areas in Lower and Upper Egypt.
• Samples were analyzed for the presence of helminthic ova and larval stages.
• Geographical locations of contamination, including fields, gardens, streets, and canal banks, were noted.

Main Results:

• Toxocara eggs were the most frequently detected helminthic stage in the soil across both governorates.
• No helminth ova were found in indoor yards in urban areas.
• Contamination was observed in street sides, crop fields, fruit gardens, and around houses, with the highest intensity (13-19 eggs/10 gm soil) at canal banks in Zohra village, Upper Egypt.

Conclusions:

• Soil contamination with STHs, particularly Toxocara eggs, is prevalent in both urban and rural settings in the studied Egyptian governorates.
• Public spaces like canal banks, fields, and gardens are significant reservoirs for soil-transmitted helminths.
• Targeted public health interventions are needed to mitigate STH transmission risks associated with environmental contamination.