Soil contamination by Toxocara spp. eggs in a university in Mexico City.
The contamination levels of Toxocara spp. eggs in soil samples from a university campus in Mexico City were evaluated and analysed according to garden size, and were related with the percentage of Toxocara spp. eggs and its viability according to the soil characteristics. A total of 1458 soil samples collected in 15 gardens (six large and nine small) were analysed by sedimentation-flotation with zinc sulphate solution on at 33%. Contamination was low (12.9%), and egg viability was high (65.5%). The size of the garden had no influence on the presence and viability of Toxocara spp. eggs. Contamination was negatively correlated with the percentage of vegetation (r = -0. 61, P < 0.01) and the viability was negatively associated with the percentage of clay in the soil samples (r = -0.51, P < 0.04). The size of the garden did not influence the presence and viability of Toxocara spp. eggs.
Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México, DF, México.
Carlos Antelmo Celis
CA
Trejo
Camilo
C
Romero Núñez
Adelfa Del Carmen
Adel C
García Contreras
Germán Eduardo
GE
Mendoza Barrera
D000818:Animals; D002947:Cities; D008800:Mexico; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*; D014119:Toxocara; D014495:Universities
D012987:Soil