The laboratory for optimization of anti-epizootic systems has been working for a long time on the problem of parasitic infections of animals and humans, in particular, toxocariasis.
Larval toxocariasis remains a pressing and growing threat to residents of Novosibirsk. The high infection rate is due to close contact with infected dogs and poor hygiene. The parasite's larvae can survive in human tissue for years, causing chronic inflammation. In 2023, the incidence rate increased by 17% compared to the long-term average. Importantly, over 67% of cases occurred in city residents, disproving the myth that this threat only affects rural areas. Among parasitic diseases in the city, toxocariasis remains the fourth most common.
To prevent human infection, it is important to promptly identify animals infected with toxocara. However, standard fecal examination (ovoscopy) is often ineffective against the larval form of toxocariasis, when the parasites hide in the pet's tissues without laying eggs.
To address this issue, scientists at the Siberian Federal Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences developed and optimized a method for diagnosing toxocariasis in dogs using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (Authors: D.A. Sizov, A.A. Sizov, E.A. Efremova, and E.A. Burova.) The developed test system has 100% sensitivity, meaning it does not miss infected animals, and 80% specificity, minimizing false positives. It effectively detects both the intestinal and latent larval (larval) forms of the pathogen, which are often missed by conventional methods, increasing the diagnostic efficiency of toxocariasis by 15 – 30%. The method also opens up new possibilities for studying immunity in toxocariasis under experimental conditions.
The introduction of this development into veterinary practice will allow for more accurate identification of sources of danger, prompt treatment of dogs, and, as a result, significantly reduce the risk of infection for residents of Novosibirsk.