Mugo RM, Kramer-Schadt S, Krücken J, Ruhnke I, Hanefeld J, Hartmann S
Trends Parasitol. 2025;
Ascarid infections, caused by Ascaris lumbricoides (humans), Ascaris suum (domestic pigs and wild boars), Parascaris spp. (equids), Ascaridia galli (poultry) and Toxocara spp. (dogs, foxes, and cats), remain a significant global challenge, substantially impacting human, animal, and environmental health and imposing considerable economic burdens. This review synthesizes recent advances and persistent obstacles in ascarid control, including drug resistance, low-intensity and undetected infections, climate-driven transmission shifts, and diagnostic limitations. Using a One Health lens, we underscore the need for integrated approaches across human, animal, and environmental sectors. We emphasize rethinking helminth control strategies through cross-sector collaboration, community participation, equity, social and behavior change communication (SBCC), environmental risk reduction, and innovative diagnostic and monitoring systems across species and environments.
