Abstract
Feces of stray cat are potential sources of gastrointestinal parasites and play a crucial role in spreading and transmitting
parasite eggs, larvae, and oocysts through contamination of soil, food, or water. In this study, we investigated the
prevalence of Toxocara spp. infection in stray cats in Ahvaz city, southwest Iran. Eggs of Toxocara spp. in feces of stray cats
were detected by the sucrose flotation method, and identification was conducted by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and
DNA sequencing. Of the 140 fecal samples that were randomly collected from public environments during the months of
January to May 2012, 45% were found to harbour Toxocara spp. eggs. The highest prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs was
found in the central area of Ahvaz city (28.6%). T. canis eggs were found in 4 (6.34%) of the 63 positive samples. Stray cats
are found in parks, playgrounds, and other public places and may be a potential contamination risk. Identification of
Toxocara spp. using molecular methods is sufficiently sensitive to detect low levels of parasites and identify the different
Toxocara spp. in feces. The relatively high prevalence of Toxocara spp. infection may continue to increase due to lack of
effective environmental hygiene control in Iran. Consequently, there is a need to plan adequate programs to detect,
identify, and control this infection as well as stray cats in the region
