title: An eco-epidemiological study of contamination of soil with infective forms of intestinal parasites.
abstract: The objectives of the present work were to screen topsoil samples collected from public squares in two cities within the Argentine Patagonia for the presence of infective forms of intestinal parasites and to examine the possible relationship between positive findings and the environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural conditions of that region. For this purpose we studied 13 public squares, their 13 custodians, and 44 family groups within their respective surrounding areas. Of the 226 topsoil samples analyzed, 44.3% proved positive for infective forms of intestinal parasites, with 17.3% of these containing more than one species. The frequency of appearance of positive samples was dependent on the season of the year (p < 0.001), while presence of the parasites was related to the soil pH (p < 0.05) but independent of the soil relative humidity (p > 0.05). Some of the organisms detected are associated with zoonoses. We observed the presence of Capillaria spp. and Spirocerca spp. under cool desert climatic conditions. Within the group of custodians we detected hematologic alterations one positive serology for toxoplasmosis and documented behavior conducive to risk of infection with the parasites found in those squares. Within the family group an acquaintance with parasitic zoonoses and their prevention was an inconsistent finding, with toxocarosis and toxoplasmosis being the diseases associated with the greatest degree of ignorance. Furthermore, we consider the failure to de-parasitize pets and the practice of feeding them with raw meat, as typically found in our family survey, to be factors contributing to a greater likelihood of public square contamination. From the results obtained here, we propose a spatial organization approach for the purpose of detecting zones at risk of contracting zoonotic parasitoses within urban environments.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina. psanchez@unpata.ed.ar
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sánchez Thevenet
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nancufil
authors.forename: Cintia Mariela
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Oyarzo
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torrecillas
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raso
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mellado
authors.forename: Maria Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: Mirta Graciela
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cordoba
authors.forename: Marta Cecilia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Minvielle
authors.forename: Juan Angel
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Basualdo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000469:parasitology; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis / Q000469:parasitology*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D012987:Soil