title: Toxocara malaysiensis infection in domestic cats in Vietnam--An emerging zoonotic issue?
abstract: Toxocara canis of canids is a parasitic nematode (ascaridoid) that infects humans and other hosts, causing different forms of toxocariasis. This species of Toxocara appears to be the most important cause of human disease, likely followed by Toxocara cati from felids. Although some studies from Malaysia and China have shown that cats can harbor another congener, T. malaysiensis, no information is available about this parasite for other countries. Moreover, the zoonotic potential of this parasite is unknown at this point. In the present study, we conducted the first investigation of domestic dogs and cats for Toxocara in Vietnam using molecular tools. Toxocara malaysiensis was identified as a common ascaridoid of domestic cats (in the absence of T. cati), and T. canis was commonly found in dogs. Together with findings from previous studies, the present results emphasize the need to explore the significance and zoonotic potential of T. malaysiensis in Vietnam and other countries where this parasite is endemic and prevalent in cats.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18. Hoang Quoc Viet Rd, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam. Electronic address: imibtvn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Thanh Hoa
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Nguyen Thi Lan
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Anh
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18. Hoang Quoc Viet Rd, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Khue Thi
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18. Hoang Quoc Viet Rd, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Nga Thi Bich
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Veterinary Research, 86 Truong Chinh, Hanoi, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Do Thi Thu
authors.initials: do TT
authors.lastname: Thuy
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Robin B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gasser
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis*; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D014119:Toxocara / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D014744:Vietnam; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth
keywords: Cats; Dogs; Toxocara malaysiensis; Vietnam; Zoonotic potential