Dr Sara Healy BSc BVetMed MSc MRCVS FHEA
About
My research project
Assessing food-borne risks of Toxocara infection in support of public health and food quality assuranceToxocara is a zoonotic round worm parasite, which can cause the human disease toxocariasis. This condition can have severe consequences for people, including neurological disease, internal organ damage, allergic conditions and even blindness.
There are many gaps in our understanding of this parasite's epidemiology, including the role played by food borne transmission. My project will investigate the risks of acquiring Toxocara infection via the food chain, and will investigate how we can intervene to mitigate these risks and protect public health.
Toxocara is a zoonotic round worm parasite, which can cause the human disease toxocariasis. This condition can have severe consequences for people, including neurological disease, internal organ damage, allergic conditions and even blindness.
There are many gaps in our understanding of this parasite's epidemiology, including the role played by food borne transmission. My project will investigate the risks of acquiring Toxocara infection via the food chain, and will investigate how we can intervene to mitigate these risks and protect public health.
ResearchResearch interests
Parasitology
Food Safety
Public Health
One Health
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Research interests
Parasitology
Food Safety
Public Health
One Health
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Publications
Highlights
Healy SR, Morgan ER, Prada JM, Betson M. First report demonstrating the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs on vegetables grown in community gardens in Europe. Food Waterborne Parasitol. 2022 Apr 20;27:e00158. doi: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00158. PMID: 35518124; PMCID: PMC9061247
Healy, S.R., Morgan, E.R., Prada, J.M. et al. From fox to fork? Toxocara contamination of spinach grown in the south of England, UK. Parasites Vectors 16, 49 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05674-8
Human toxocariasis is a neglected tropical disease, which is actually global in distribution and has a significant impact on global public health. The infection can lead to several serious conditions in humans, including allergic, ophthalmic and neurological disorders such as epilepsy. It is caused by the common roundworm species Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, with humans becoming accidentally infected via the ingestion of eggs or larvae. Toxocara eggs are deposited on the ground when infected dogs, cats and foxes defecate, with the eggs contaminating crops, grazing pastures, and subsequently food animals. However, transmission of Toxocara to humans via food consumption has received relatively little attention in the literature. To establish the risks that contaminated food poses to the public, a renewed research focus is required. This review discusses what is currently known about food-borne Toxocara transmission, highlighting the gaps in our understanding that require further attention, and outlining some potential preventative strategies which could be employed to safeguard consumer health.