ABSTRACT
Ascariases are common, important parasitic infections of humans and animals that are caused by roundworms (Ascaridida, Ascarididae) belonging to the genera of Ascaris (e.g., Ascaris lumbricoides), Toxocara (e.g., Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati), and Baylisascaris (e.g., Baylisascaris procyonis). While A. lumbricoides affects about one billion people worldwide, Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati chie›y infect dogs and cats, respectively, and B. procyonis occurs naturally in raccoons.
