Toxocarosis: A very public zoonosis*

Toxocara spp are a group of intestinal nematodes with species infecting dogs (T.canis) and cats (T.cati). They are the cause of human toxocarosis, a significant zoonosis that can lead to visceral, ocular and neurological larval migrans as well as the condition known as covert toxocarosis. Despite the ocular form of the disease having a relatively high public profile, and there having been extensive research into Toxocara spp, aspects of the aetiology and transmission of infection remains unknown and human clinical cases continue to be recognised in the UK year on year. This article describes the epidemiology of infection and resulting disease syndromes as well as considering possible control measures.