Investigation of toxocara spp. prevalence in the coastline of kuşadasi district by polymerase chain reaction

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs in the sandy beaches of Kuşadası district, Aydın province. Materials and Methods: This is an experimental study. The sand samples were taken at different times from public beaches along the 27 km long coastline of Kuşadası district and the presence of eggs of Toxocara spp. were firstly prepared by sedimentation/flotation method and microscopically examined. In addition, Toxocara spp. positivity was investigated by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method with DNA isolation from positive samples in which eggs were observed. Results: For the purpose of the investigation, sand samples were taken twice in 2021 and 2023 from 20 different points on the Kuşadası coast from Kuştur to Güzelçamlı. No eggs were detected in the first sand samples taken (2-5cm depth, in 2021) from the beaches included in the study. Later, the eggs and the larvae were observed in sand samples taken from depths (12-20cm) where conditions such as humidity and temperature were suitable for Toxocara spp. Statistical evaluations were carried out on n=120 sand samples taken in 2023. Although the frequency of Toxocara spp. eggs detected in the samples taken at different times varied between the sampling points, it varied between 31-35% on average. The highest number of Toxocara spp. eggs were found in 6-7 out of ten samples taken from Güzelçamlı (70%), Davutlar and Soğucak (60%) points. No Toxocara spp. eggs were found on the beaches of Kadınlar Denizi and Kuştur. DNA belonging to Toxocara spp. could not be detected in the examinations performed with the PCR method in the positive samples in which eggs were detected. Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that helminth eggs such as Toxocara were found in Kuşadası beaches. Unlike other land areas and parks, it was concluded that helminth eggs were found in the deeper moist sand layer.