title: Human toxocariasis: current advances in diagnostics, treatment, and interventions.
abstract: Toxocariasis is a neglected zoonosis caused by the nematodes Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. This disease is widespread in many countries, reaching high prevalence independently of the economic conditions. However, the true number of cases of toxocariasis is likely to be underestimated owing to the lack of adequate surveillance programs. Although some diagnostic tests are available, their sensitivity and specificity need to be improved. In addition, treatment options for toxocariasis are limited and are non-specific. Toxocariasis is listed as one of the five most important neglected diseases by the CDC. This review presents recent advances related to the control of toxocariasis, including new immunodiagnostics, therapies, and drug formulations, as well as novel interventions using DNA vaccines, immunomodulators, and probiotics.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico/Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Marçal Schmidt Garcia
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico/Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brasil; Faculdade de Medicina/Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande, General Osório, S/N, CEP 96200-190, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Paula de Lima
authors.initials: Pde L
authors.lastname: Telmo
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico/Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Angela Nunes
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico/Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Alan John Alexander
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina/Laboratório de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Rio Grande, General Osório, S/N, CEP 96200-190, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil.
authors.forename: Carlos James
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Scaini
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico/Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CP 354, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Electronic address: fabricio.rochedo@ufpel.edu.br.
authors.forename: Fabricio Rochedo
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Conceição
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000639:trends; D058069:Neglected Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D019936:Probiotics; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D019444:Vaccines, DNA
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D019444:Vaccines, DNA
keywords: Toxocara canis; Toxocara cati; drug modification; immunodiagnostics; probiotics; toxocariasis