The relationship of park maintenance and accessibility to dogs to the presence of Toxocara spp. ova in the soil.

Abstract

Three parks in St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, Michigan were examined for the presence of Toxocara spp. ova in the soil. Nineteen per cent (22/114) of the samples contained ova, and mean density (eggs/5 g soil) was 0.73. The density of two samples, collected at the base of playground equipment in one park, was greater than 2.1, which is considered sufficient for human infection. Subjective assessments of park maintenance and accessibility to dogs were not good indicators of the presence of Toxocara spp. ova.