Zoonotic gastrointestinal parasite burden of local dogs in Zaria, Northern Nigeria: Implications for human health

Prevalence of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasite among Dogs in Suryabinayak, Nepal

Dogs are popular pets around the world and have always had a very close relationship with humans. Zoonotic gastrointestinal helminth parasites are a great threat to both stray and pet dogs. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths in dogs. 400 samples were collected, including 200 from pet dogs and 200 from stray dogs. The samples from pet dogs were collected from the ground immediately after voiding with the help of the owner, whereas stray dogs were caught by using a dog catcher, and the samples were collected directly from the rectum by using a gloved index finger. All collected samples were examined under a microscope using sedimentation and flotation techniques. The overall prevalence of infection was found to be 59.50%, with a significantly higher prevalence in stray dogs (70%) than that in pet dogs (49%). Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp., Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Dipylidium caninum, and Taenia/Echinococcus spp. were six different species found in the current study. The study showed the highest prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. (49.16%) and the least prevalence of Capillaria spp. (0.84%). In the age-wise study, puppies had a significantly high infection rate (86.96%). Similarly, we recorded a significantly higher prevalence of intestinal helminths among nondewormed pet dogs (78.65%) than among dewormed pet dogs (25.23%). This study highlights the severe environmental contamination shed by dogs, causing a higher risk of zoonotic transmission. It indicates the urgent need to manage these parasites in dogs and educate the public on how to care for their pets and the parasites they shed.

Gastrointestinal helminths in dog feces surrounding suburban areas of Lower Dir district, Pakistan: A public health threat

Data on environmental contamination of the parasites of zoonotic importance is scarce in Pakistan. Soil contamination with feces of dogs hide infective stages of the parasite represents a health-risk to humans. This study was aimed to assess the eggs of gastrointestinal parasites of stray dogs and household dogs in lower Dir district, Pakistan with special consideration to those that can be spread to humans. One hundred and fifty two stool specimens from (stray dogs=90 and household dogs=62) were collected. The helminth eggs were processed by direct smear method and centrifugation techniques and identified by microscopic examination. Of the total examined dogs 26.8% (n=41 /152) were found to be infected with one or more intestinal parasites. The intestinal helminths detected were Dipylidium caninum (n =18, 11.8%), followed by Toxocara canis (n =16, 10.5%), Taenia spp., (n=10, 6.57%) Ancylostoma caninum (n=6, 3.94), Toxascaris spp., Capillaria spp., and Trichuris vulpis (n=2, 1.31% each) in order of their prevalence. Pattern of infection revealed that 27 (65.8%) dogs have single, 13(31.7%) double and 1(2.43%) triple infection. The stray dogs were highly infected 34.4% (n=31) than house hold dogs 16.1% (n=10). The prevalence of infection with intestinal parasites was significantly different among these two groups (p = 0.0097). This study highlight a severe environmental contamination by frequent parasitic stages infectious to humans. There is a higher risk of zoonotic transmission from dogs which indicate an immediate need for the controlling of these parasites and educating the public to take wise action relating to the parasites and pets.

Epizootiology of zoonotic parasites of dogs in Abua area of Rivers State, Nigeria

The study investigated zoonotic parasites of dogs in Abua area of Rivers State. Out of the 400 samples analysed 260(65%) were found to be positive with different parasite species. Parasite species recovered showed, Ancylostoma caninum and Strongyloides stercoralis were found in all the communities while Taenia spp. was found in only one community. There was a statistically significant difference in infection rates among the different age groups of dogs examined (X2  = 59.79, df = 4, P = 0.000). Parasites species detected with respect to age of dogs showed that Ancylostoma caninum had the highest infection rate as it infected the three age groups of dogs in significant numbers (X2  = 50.28, P = 0.000), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (X2  = 24.87, P = 0.000). Other parasites that showed significant infections across the age groups include Diphylidium caninum (X2  = 9.63, P = 0.008) and Toxocara canis (X2  = 6.98, P = 0.03). All the other parasites; Spirocerca lupi, Baylisascaris procyonis, Taenia spp were not significant across the age groups. There was an overall mixed infection of 51(19.62%) of which 22 (8.46%) samples had mix infection of two parasite species of Ancylostoma caninum and Strongyloides stercoralis, 12 (4.62%) had Ancylostoma caninum and Diphylidium caninum, while 1(0.34%) with Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum. A mix infection of three parasite species was 6.15% comprising Ancylostoma caninum, Strongyloides stercoralis and Diphylidium caninum was recorded. In conclusion, Prevalence of zoonotic parasites of dogs in Abua was high. So, there is an urgent need for education of dog owners in the area to reduce this high infection rate and to reduce the danger of transmission of these infections to human as a result of ignorance on the part of the dog owners.

Vectors and vector-borne pathogens of dogs in Nigeria: a meta-analysis of their prevalence and distribution from data published between 1975 and 2016

Knowledge of vectors and the pathogens they transmit is essential for veterinarians and public health workers to ensure successful diagnosis, treatment and public health protection. In the present study, the guideline for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) was employed to determine the prevalence and distribution of vectors and vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) of dogs across Nigeria in a meta-analysis of data published between 1975 and 2016. Pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) was determined by the random-effects model while heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q-test. A total of 2897 cases of vectors and VBPs were reported from 9880 dogs in 28 studies across 15 Nigerian states. Overall PPE was 29.3% (95% CI: 28.4, 30.2) and ranged between 4.4% (95% CI: 2.3, 7.6) and 59.1% (95% CI: 55.7, 62.5) across sub-groups. Rhipicephalus sanquineus (Prev: 25.3%, 95% CI: 23.7, 27.0) and Hepatozoon canis (Prev: 16.9%, 95% CI: 13.9, 20.3) were the most prevalent vector and VBP respectively. Vectors and VBPs of zoonotic and veterinary importance were prevalent in Nigerian dogs and were distributed across the six regions. Vector control, adequate hygiene and sanitation as well as appropriate policies on pet ownership and implementation of control measures will help control these pathogens and curtail the risk of transmission to humans in Nigeria.