Preliminary studies on the zoonotic importance of rodents as a reservoir of toxocariasis from recreation grounds in Wroclaw (Poland)

Due to their specific biology and behaviour, rodents could play a role as an intermediate, definitive or paratenic host for many helminth species, as well as for species of zoonotic significance such as Toxocara spp. or Echinococcus multilocularis. The aim of our preliminary study was to investigate the nematode fauna of rodents collected from recreation grounds located in the vicinity of Wroclaw, and to determine their role in the transmission of toxocariasis in this area. During a one-year period, 90 individuals belonging to three rodent species, i.e. Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis and Myodes glareolus, were collected. The overall prevalence of infection with nematodes amounted to 63.33 ± 10.15 % and differed between hosts. Toxocara spp. larvae were located in livers and brains of A. agrarius (12.9 %). Our results indicate a role of rodents in the circulation of toxocariasis in sub-urban areas, which serve as recreation grounds for the city of Wroclaw.