Zoonotic Relevance of Toxocara spp. in North Macedonia: Retrospective Veterinary Findings and a Clinically Confirmed Case of Human Ocular Toxocariasis
Ana Marija Radevska, Bojana Chapkunovska, Katerina Spasovska, Fadil Cana, Stefan Pandilov, Verica Simin, Pavle Banović, Dejan Jakimovski, Aleksandar Cvetkovikj
A new study from North Macedonia has identified ongoing circulation of Toxocara parasites in dogs and cats and documents a clinically confirmed case of human ocular toxocariasis, underscoring the zoonotic risk posed by companion animals and contaminated environments.
Researchers reviewed routine veterinary diagnostic records from January 2018 to March 2026, analyzing 465 fecal samples from dogs and cats submitted to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Skopje. Toxocara eggs were detected in 14 samples, corresponding to an overall detection rate of 3.0%. Positivity was similar in dogs and cats, with 11 of 371 dog samples and 3 of 94 cat samples testing positive.
Although the detected rate was relatively low, the authors caution that even sporadic egg shedding by infected animals can sustain environmental contamination, because Toxocara eggs are highly resistant and can persist in soil for long periods. Most samples came from the Skopje region, but positive findings were also recorded in Polog and the Northeastern region.
The human component of the study describes a 13-year-old boy from a rural area in the Polog region who developed progressive visual field darkening and reduced vision in one eye. Ophthalmological examination revealed strabismus, cataract, vitreous inflammation, and posterior eye changes consistent with ocular toxocariasis. Diagnosis was supported by positive anti-Toxocara canis IgG testing and confirmatory Western blot.
The boy was treated with albendazole and a short course of oral corticosteroids. His vision showed only slight early improvement, and later follow-up found no meaningful additional recovery. Because of persistent visual impairment linked to a complicated cataract, he eventually underwent cataract surgery.
The authors say the case illustrates how ocular toxocariasis can be missed or diagnosed late, especially because it may present as isolated visual loss without fever, eosinophilia, or other systemic signs. They call for greater awareness among clinicians, ophthalmologists, veterinarians, and public health professionals.
The study concludes that Toxocara remains a relevant One Health concern in North Macedonia. Regular deworming of dogs and cats, proper disposal of animal feces, improved hygiene after animal or soil contact, and better clinical recognition of ocular toxocariasis are key measures to reduce human exposure and prevent avoidable vision loss.
More information here.