Research overview: Toxocara roundworms of felids and their zoonotic significance

Toxocara cati and related ascarid roundworms are among the most common parasites of cats, with wild felids shedding eggs that contribute to environmental contamination and pose a zoonotic risk to people. This overview surveys the biology of feline Toxocara, the transmission cycle involving egg shedding and infection of prey and humans, and the disease, including larva migrans, that can result in incidental hosts. It examines the prevalence of these roundworms in wild cat populations, their persistence in soil, and their public-health relevance. The synthesis connects a ubiquitous felid parasite to environmental and human health. It aims to help readers understand how a routine cat roundworm extends beyond its felid hosts to become an environmental and zoonotic concern wherever wild and domestic cats deposit their feces.