Toxocara canis
From DrugPedia: A Wikipedia for Drug discovery
Toxocara canis
Toxocara canis is worldwide distributed helminth parasite of dogs and other canids which belongs to Toxocaridae family.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Nematoda |
| Class | Secernentea |
| Order | Ascaridida |
| Family | Toxocaridae |
| Genus | Toxocara |
| Species | T. canis |
| Binomial | Toxocara canis |
Contents |
[edit] Surface Characteristics
Excretory-secretory (ES) antigens of this species are composed of a restricted range of components, with overlapping but not identical profiles. The ES antigens range in m.w. from 32,000 (32 KDa) to 400 KDa and include at least one allergenic component. They are each glycoproteins, containing in all 40% by weight of carbohydrate, and differential lectin binding and protease sensitivity indicate that the major components are discrete parasite antigens rather than degradation products of common derivation.
[edit] Transmission
Transmission of Toxocara to humans is usually through ingestion of infective eggs. These eggs are passed in cat or dog feces, but the defecation habits of dogs cause T. canis transmission to be more common. Eggs require a several week incubation period outside of a host before becoming infective, so fresh eggs cannot cause toxocariasis. Eating undercooked rabbit, chicken, or sheep can lead to infection; encysted larvae in the meat can become reactivated and migrate through a human host, causing toxocariasis.
[edit] Pathogenic Activity
The disease caused by migrating T. canis larvae (toxocariasis) results in two syndromes: visceralis larva migrans and ocularis larva migrans.
