The overall infection rate of dogs with parasites was 36.4%. The dogs less than 6 months old were highly affected followed by the dogs of 6-12 months old and those older than 12 months. The infection rates for the above age groups were 52.3% (23/44), 34.3% (11/32), and 25.0% (14/56), respectively. The dogs younger than 6 months showed higher infection rates than the dogs older than 12 months (P=0.04). The infection rate of dogs of 6-12 months old was not significantly different to that of dogs older than12 months old. The infection rate was higher in rural areas than downtown cities (Table 1). However, only the infection rate in a rural area of Jenin district was significantly higher than that in the downtown of Jenin (P=0.002). The infection rates in rural areas of Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin were 41.4%, 40,0%, and 64.0%, respectively. The infection rates in the downtowns of the 3 cities were not significantly different, with values of 14.3%, 16.7%, and 22.2%, respectively.

The present study showed that most infections were associated with dogs at younger ages less than 6 months old. This can be explained by infection of these dogs through transuterine route or lactogenic stages [1]. Dogs at this age might lack immunity and become more susceptible to infection [2]. The higher infection rate in rural areas can be explained by the fact that these villages host the largest population of sheep and herds, so that a large number of dogs are raised. Dogs move with herds to different regions carrying the parasite infection.

It is concluded that toxocariasis of dogs is prevalent in Norh West Bank of Palestine, and there is a high risk of infection, especially in infants. In this area, urgent interventions are necessary, such as routine examinations of dogs to detect Toxocara infection and prescription of anthelmintics to infected dogs.

Thanks are due to Professor Jamal Abo Omar for editing the manuscript, to Dr. Hassan Abu Qaoud for help in statistical analysis, and to students of the 4th grade at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, An Najah National University, for their help in sample collection. Special thanks are given to colleagues at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and to An Najah National University for support.

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