The prevalence of Toxocara eggs in the sand in children's playgrounds in Frankfurt/M

Abstract

During an investigation of 31 sandpits in children's playgrounds in and around Frankfurt/M Toxocara eggs were detected in 27. The prevalence in areas with few or no parks (average 14·8 eggs 100 g-¹ sand) was much higher than in districts where there was more room for the dogs to run about (5·3 eggs 100 g-¹ sand).

Larval development was complete in 40% of isolated Toxocara eggs after four weeks.

The importance of these findings in connection with the risk, to children playing, of a possible infection (larva migrans visceralis) and preventive measures are discussed.