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Idrissi H, Khatat SEH, Duchateau L, Kachani M, Daminet S, El Asatey S, Tazi N, Azrib R, Sahibi H. Prevalence, risk factors and zoonotic potential of intestinal parasites in dogs from four locations in Morocco. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 34:100775. [PMID: 36041810 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Dogs can harbor various intestinal parasites that have serious clinical, economic, and zoonotic impact. In Morocco, the epidemiological status of those parasites is largely unknown. This study aimed to obtain data on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in various Moroccan dog populations, to identify associated risk factors, to evaluate people's knowledge regarding zoonotic parasites and to estimate the risk of human infection. A total of 291 fecal samples were analyzed using a 33% Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4) centrifugal flotation and a sheather's sugar simple flotation techniques. In addition, 100 dog owners were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their knowledge regarding canine zoonotic intestinal parasites. Overall, 58% of sampled dogs were positive for at least one parasite species. Ancylostoma/Uncinaria spp. (31.9%), Toxascaris leonina (27.4%), Toxocara canis (27.1%), Cystoisospora spp. (13.4%) and Giardia spp. (7.2%) were the most frequently isolated parasites. The overall prevalence was associated with the dogs' activity, and feces consistency. More specifically, the prevalence of Ancylostoma/Uncinaria spp., Toxascaris leonina and Cystoisospora spp. was associated with dogs' activity and feces consistency and, additionally with age for Cystoisosporaspp.Toxocara canis prevalence was associated with age and feces consistency, while Giardia spp. prevalence was associated with dogs' activity. A weak awareness among dog owners regarding the zoonotic potential of canine intestinal parasites was noticed (33%) especially when their knowledge was compared to another endemic zoonotic disease, i.e. rabies (85%). Furthermore, the rate of respecting the vaccination protocol (82%) was significantly higher than the rate of respecting the deworming protocol (47%). We conclude that intestinal parasites, including the zoonotic ones, were highly prevalent in the dogs sampled in this study whereas people's knowledge about those parasites was very limited. These findings suggest that the risk of human infection is very likely, which highlights the need for effective control programs and health education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Idrissi
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Hassan II Agronomy and Veterinary Institute, Rabat-Instituts, Madinat Al Irfane, PO Box 6202, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Sarah El Hamiani Khatat
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, Hassan II Agronomy and Veterinary Institute, Rabat-Instituts, Madinat Al Irfane, PO Box 6202, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Luc Duchateau
- Biometrics Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Malika Kachani
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, United States of America.
| | - Sylvie Daminet
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Sabrine El Asatey
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Hassan II Agronomy and Veterinary Institute, Rabat-Instituts, Madinat Al Irfane, PO Box 6202, Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Noureddine Tazi
- Veterinary Clinic of the 1st kennel of the Royal Armed Forces, 13000 Benslimane, Morocco
| | - Rahma Azrib
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction, Hassan II Agronomy and Veterinary Institute, Rabat-Instituts, Madinat Al Irfane, PO Box 6202, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Hamid Sahibi
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Health, Hassan II Agronomy and Veterinary Institute, Rabat-Instituts, Madinat Al Irfane, PO Box 6202, Rabat, Morocco
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Adeel AA. Seroepidemiology of human toxocariasis in North Africa. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 109:501-534. [PMID: 32381215 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Seroprevalence studies on human toxocariasis help to assess the burden and the morbidity associated with this zoonosis. This review searched the seroprevalence studies and case reports in six North African countries: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia, since 1990. The search also included studies on the environmental factors related to the risk of transmission. Most of the published epidemiological studies were done in Egypt. Cross-sectional and case-control studies in Egypt demonstrated that toxocariasis is a significant zoonosis that could be associated with conditions like bronchial asthma allergies and certain neuropsychiatric disorders. The population at risk of this infection includes all ages, both genders, in contact with dogs, resident in rural areas with poor housing conditions. The publications from Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria are limited to case reports and retrospective analyses of cases, but the disease is probably under-diagnosed in these three countries. There are no published reports on human toxocariasis in Libya and Sudan during the period covered by the review. Animal studies confirm high infection rates of dogs with Toxocara canis in North Africa. There is also evidence of wide-spread contamination of soil and water with Toxocara spp. eggs. Moreover, the use of untreated wastewater for irrigation in parts of North Africa could be a source of contamination of agricultural products with eggs of Toxocara spp. Population-based studies on human toxocariasis are recommended, using standardized diagnostic tests. These surveys should also assess risk factors to guide preventive measures.
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