DIFFERENTIATION OF BAYLISASCARIS SPECIES, TOXOCARA-CANIS, AND TOXASCARIS-LEONINA INFECTIONS IN DOGS

Mixed-breed dogs were found shedding eggs of Ancylostoma caninum, Toxo cara canis, and Baylisascaris procyonis (the common raccoon ascarid). The public health concerns created by B. procyonis infection in raccoo ns are well documented, but little is known about the significance of patent B. procyonis infection in dogs. The similarities of the various egg forms of B. procyonis to the eggs of T. canis and Toxascaris leon ina prompted research for developing a diagnostic protocol to differen tiate these species. The goal of this protocol is to facilitate reliab le diagnosis of B. procyonis infection in dogs and to increase underst anding of the importance of the dog as a risk factor for baylisascaria sis in humans. Transmission of B. procyonis as well as T. canis from d ogs to humans can be prevented by not allowing dogs to defecate near p arks or playgrounds, immediately removing canine feces, supervising ch ildren to prevent pica, and having children always wash their hands af ter playing with a dog.