Seropositivity for Toxocara spp. in Individuals with Animal Hoarding Disorder in Southern Brazil: An Alarm for Public Health

Animal hoarding has been associated with unhealthy human, animal and environmental conditions that predispose such individuals to serious life-threatening risks such as arson, malnutrition, cruelty and zoonosis. The study aimed to evaluate the presence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies among individuals with animal hoarding disorder in Curitiba, Brazil.

65 residences with register of animal hoarder behavior were visited and 11 residences were included in the study, with a total of 19 individuals consenting participation. A short questionnaire was applied to gather information regarding hoarders and their dogs/cats, and serum samples were screened to detect antibodies (IgG) against antigens of Toxocara spp.

Overall, 14/19 individuals (73.7%) presented anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies. In 8/11 (72.7%) households at least one person was seropositive. Seropositivity was higher among women (10/13; 76.9%) than men (4/6; 66.7%). A total of 442 dogs (14–30 dogs; average = 23.3 per household) and 31 cats (1–20 cats; average = 4.8 per household) were observed. To the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study to survey occurrences of toxocariasis among animal hoarders. The high population densities of dogs observed during visits, in conjunction with absence of veterinary care and unsanitary conditions, may indicate that situations of high levels of animal infection and soil contamination were present.

In summary, the seroprevalence observed in this study indicated that there was a high risk of Toxocara spp. infection among individuals with animal hoarding disorder. Provision of educational programs to reduce the risk of infection in this population is warranted.