Geohelminth contamination of public areas and epidemiological risk factors in Curitiba, Brazil

Evaluation of heating and liming treatments in sand samples artificially contaminated with Ancylostoma spp. eggs

Ancylostoma spp. are found worldwide. Infected dog and cat feces can contaminate soil in public places. Despite prophylactic measures being available, studies on direct remediation of Ancylostoma-contaminated soils are scarce. This study aimed to determine the impact of heat treatment and liming on the viability of Ancylostoma spp. eggs in artificially contaminated sandy soil. Sterilized sand samples were contaminated with Ancylostoma spp. eggs extracted from infected dogs' feces. Samples were heated (trial I) to 70 °C or 80 °C, then sieved after 24 hours (212, 90, 38, and 25 µm). Larval cultures were assessed for larval development following heat treatment. Five quicklime concentrations (trial II; 50, 30, 20, 10 and 5%) were used to treat sand. The effect of liming on larval cultures was assessed by measuring embryonic development. Filariform larvae were exposed to 20% quicklime (25 °C and 37 °C, 20 min). Heat treatment destroys Ancylostoma spp. eggs and prevents in vitro larval development. Liming at 50, 30, and 20% concentrations made embryonic development impossible. However, filariform larvae treated with 20% lime solution retained their motility. Heating at 70 °C and liming at 20% were sufficient to make Ancylostoma spp. egg embryogenesis impossible in experimentally contaminated sand samples.

Animal Handling Practice Among Rural Households in Northwest Ethiopia Increases the Risk of Childhood Diarrhea and Exposure to Pathogens From Animal Sources

Background

In Ethiopia, domestic animals and their feces are not properly contained. However, the risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens is not well documented. This study was conducted to assess animal handling practices and the risk of childhood diarrhea among rural households in northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

This study was done among 403 randomly selected households. Information on animal handling was collected using a questionnaire and spot-check observation. The occurrence of childhood diarrhea in 14 days prior to the survey was assessed based on the reports of female head of households. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the association between animal handling practices and childhood diarrhea.

Results

All the female head of households had contact with animal feces when preparing fuel disks and plastering the house components with animal dung. Domestic animals shared a corral within the living space of the humans in 20% of the households. Animals entered the human living quarters and accessed foods in 32% of the households. Moreover, 24% of the children aged 24 to 59 months had diarrhea in a 2-week period prior to the survey. Childhood diarrhea was associated with domestic animals sharing the same house as humans (AOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.3, 8.6), presence of animal excreta in child playing areas (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.6), contact of domestic animals with stored foods (AOR: 3.5, 95% CI: 2.0, 5.9), trapped dirt under fingernails of female heads (AOR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.9, 7.5), open defecation (AOR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.8, 5.9), and unprotected sources (AOR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.1, 15.3).

Conclusion

Domestic animals and their excreta are not hygienically contained in the area. Animal handling practices including their excreta and the hygiene behavior of female head of households (eg, handwashing and food handling practices) should be improved to prevent childhood diarrhea.

Risk factors associated with dog endoparasites infection spread in East Slovak Lowland

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of endoparasites in dog feces from public places, investigate the occurrence of endoparasites in soil, and identify potential risk factors associated with the dog endoparasites infection spread in East Slovak Lowland - the region near the EU border with Ukraine. In a one-year study, a total of 803 dog fecal samples and 148 soil samples from public places were examined for the presence of endoparasite developmental stages. In general, 43.59 % of dog excrements were positive. Six different species of intestinal parasites were detected: Toxocara canis (22.65 %), Trichuris vulpis (14.07 %), family Ancylostomatidae (10.09 %), Capillaria aerophilla (5.60 %), Ascaris spp. (1.49 %). Altogether, 52.03 % of soil samples were positive for at least one endoparasites species. The occurrence of parasitic eggs in the soil was as follows: Ascaris spp. (37.16 %), Toxocara spp. (29.05 %), Trichuris spp. (29.05 %) %), family Ancylostomatidae (2.03 %) and Toxascaris leonina (2.03 %). The occurrence of endoparasites between the towns and villages varied significantly. The distribution of endoparasites in dogs and soil was affected by the population density, the minority people living in the studied territory, the number of people living in poor hygienic conditions with limited access to drinking water and the usage of sewerage. Persisting endoparasitic contamination of the environment in East Slovak Lowland forms a reservoir with zoonotic potential representing public and environmental health problems.

Measurement in the study of human exposure to animal feces: A systematic review and audit

BACKGROUND

Human exposure to animal feces is increasingly recognized as an important transmission route of enteric pathogens. Yet, there are no consistent or standardized approaches to measurement of this exposure, limiting assessment of the human health effects and scope of the issue.

OBJECTIVE

To inform and improve approaches to the measurement of human exposure to animal feces, we audited existing measurement in low- and middle-income countries.

METHODS

We systematically searched peer-reviewed and gray literature databases for studies with quantitative measures of human exposure to animal feces and we classified measures in two ways. First, using a novel conceptual model, we categorized measures into three 'Exposure Components' identified a priori (i.e., Animal, Environmental, Human Behavioral); one additional Component (Evidence of Exposure) inductively emerged. Second, using the exposure science conceptual framework, we determined where measures fell along the source-to-outcome continuum.

RESULTS

We identified 1,428 measures across 184 included studies. Although studies overwhelmingly included more than one single-item measure, the majority only captured one Exposure Component. For example, many studies used several single-item measures to capture the same attribute for different animals, all of which were classified as the same Component. Most measures captured information about the source (e.g. animal presence) and contaminant (e.g. animal-sourced pathogens), which are most distal from exposure on the source-to-outcome continuum.

DISCUSSION

We found that measurement of human exposure to animal feces is diverse and largely distal from exposure. To facilitate better assessment of the human health effects of exposure and scope of the issue, rigorous and consistent measures are needed. We recommend a list of key factors from the Animal, Environmental, and Human Behavioral Exposure Components to measure. We also propose using the exposure science conceptual framework to identify proximal measurement approaches.

Human Colonization with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria from Nonoccupational Exposure to Domesticated Animals in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Critical Review

Data on community-acquired antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are particularly sparse in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Limited surveillance and oversight of antibiotic use in food-producing animals, inadequate access to safe drinking water, and insufficient sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in LMICs could exacerbate the risk of zoonotic antibiotic resistance transmission. This critical review compiles evidence of zoonotic exchange of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) or antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within households and backyard farms in LMICs, as well as assesses transmission mechanisms, risk factors, and environmental transmission pathways. Overall, substantial evidence exists for exchange of antibiotic resistance between domesticated animals and in-contact humans. Whole bacteria transmission and horizontal gene transfer between humans and animals were demonstrated within and between households and backyard farms. Further, we identified water, soil, and animal food products as environmental transmission pathways for exchange of ARB and ARGs between animals and humans, although directionality of transmission is poorly understood. Herein we propose study designs, methods, and topical considerations for priority incorporation into future One Health research to inform effective interventions and policies to disrupt zoonotic antibiotic resistance exchange in low-income communities.

The application of the FLOTAC technique for detection of helminth eggs of medical and veterinary importance in soil samples

The FLOTAC technique was initially developed to detected infective stages of parasites in animal and human feces. Recently, its applicability has been extended by the use in pastures and vegetables for human consumption. However, its use for the detection of parasites in the soil has never been investigated. In this study, we assessed the performance of the FLOTAC and compared with centrifugal flotation (CFT) and spontaneous sedimentation (SST) techniques. A total of 50 soil samples were collected from the Metropolitan region of Recife, Northeastern Brazil. Initially, samples were standardized, and then assessed in duplicate by the FLOTAC, CFT and SST. Cohen's kappa coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of the FLOTAC, CFT and SST were assessed using the results of the combination of all three techniques as gold standard. Out of all analyses performed, in 96% (48/50), helminth eggs of parasites were detected. In particular, 96% (48/50) of samples analysed through the FLOTAC technique, 76% (38/50) for CFT and 28% (14/50) for SST were positive. Nematode eggs of the Ancylostomatidae and Ascarididae families were those mostly detected in this study. Overall, the FLOTAC presented high values of sensitivity, demonstrating that this method may also be employed for detection of parasites in soil samples. This study opens new possibilities for the use of the FLOTAC technique, highlighting its role as a potential tool for detecting environmental contamination by parasites of medical and veterinary importance.

Assessment of environmental contamination with soil-transmitted helminths life stages at school compounds, households and open markets in Jimma Town, Ethiopia

Background

It remains largely unknown where and how infections with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs; Ascaris, Trichuris, Necator and Ancylostoma) occur. We therefore aimed to identify possible sources of infection by assessing the environmental contamination in an STH-endemic area.

Methods

We first performed a series of laboratory experiments designed to optimize a soil straining-flotation method to detect and quantify Ascaris and Trichuris eggs in soil, and to validate the diagnostic performance of the optimized method when followed by microscopy and qPCR. In a second phase, we applied this method to assess the level of STH contamination in 399 environmental samples collected from 10 school compounds, 50 households and 9 open markets in Jimma Town (Ethiopia). Subsequently, we explored associations between the environmental contamination and both the corresponding STH epidemiology at the level of the schools and the household characteristics. Finally, we assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards STHs in school children.

Principal findings

Our soil straining-flotation method has an analytical sensitivity of 50 eggs per 100 grams of soil and egg recovery rate of 36.0% (Ascaris) and 8.0% (Trichuris). The analysis of field samples with both microscopy and qPCR revealed the presence of 8 different helminth species of medical importance, including but not limited to the human STHs. There was a significant association between the environmental contamination and prevalence of any STH infections at the school level only. The KAP indicated a lack of knowledge and awareness of STHs.

Conclusions/Significance

Our optimized straining-flotation method has a moderate diagnostic performance and revealed that life stages of helminths are ubiquitous in the environment, which might be due to the poor sanitary facilities at both the schools and the households, and a poor level of KAP towards STHs. Further research is required to gain more insights into the contribution of these life stages to transmission.

The recent strategies to control the morbidity caused by intestinal worms have mainly been focusing on large scale deworming programs during which drugs are administered to at-risk populations. Although these large-scale deworming programs have been successful in reducing the disease burden, re-infection in the absence of other intervention measures is unavoidable. Although there is a consensus on how infections with intestinal worms are transmitted, it remains unclear where hot spots of infectious life stages can be found in endemic communities, which in turn impedes both the design and the validation of interventions that prevent (re-)infection. We optimized a laboratory method to detect life stages in soil samples and applied this method to examine soil contamination at school compounds, households and open markets in Jimma Town (Ethiopia). Finally, we assessed the household characteristics, and the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards intestinal worms among school children. Generally, our results indicated (i) a moderate performance of our laboratory method, (ii) the ubiquitous presence of life stages in the environment, (iii) a poor level of sanitary facilities at both the schools and the households and (iv) a poor level of knowledge, attitude and practices towards intestinal worms.

Soil contamination by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. eggs in elementary school playgrounds in the extreme south of Brazil

Millions of people worldwide, and especially schoolchildren, may be infected by geohelminths due to their exposure to a contaminated environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate soil contamination by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. eggs in recreation areas at elementary schools in Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Sand samples were collected from 22 schools and were processed using the centrifugal flotation method. Helminth eggs with zoonotic potential were found in 12 out of the 22 schools (54.5%). Contamination by Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. was observed in 36.4% (8/22) and 27.3% (6/22) of the soil samples collected at these schools, respectively. These findings of eggs show that the school communities are exposed to risks of zoonotic transmission.

Human Toxocariasis: 2010 to 2020 Contributions from Brazilian Researchers

This is a review of the published contributions made by Brazilian researchers between 2010 and 2020 on the natural history of human toxocariasis and the effects of human toxocariasis on nonhuman paratenic hosts.

Urban public squares as potential hotspots of dog-human contact: A spatial analysis of zoonotic parasites detection in Gran Santiago, Chile

Zoonotic parasites are a major public health problem globally, representing a hazard to human health. The infections occur through contact with different parasite forms. Public squares are a common meeting place for people and dogs, becoming a risk area for transmission to other dogs and humans. A spatial analysis of zoonotic parasite distribution in urban public squares in Gran Santiago, Chile was performed to elucidate its importance, exploring spatial aggregation on positivity rates at commune level. A total of 170 stool samples were analysed; 54 (31.7%) were positive for gastrointestinal-zoonotic parasites. Positivity was detected in 27 (79.4%) squares. Diversity of parasite species was variable across sites. Toxocara canis was the most frequently detected (27 samples, 21/34 squares), followed by Toxascaris leonina (13 samples, 10/34 squares), cestode eggs (10 samples, 9/34 squares), Giardia sp. (6 samples, 5/34 squares), Ancylostomatidae-like eggs (4 samples, 4/34 squares), Cryptosporidium spp. (2 samples, 2/34 squares) and Entamoeba spp. (1 sample, 1/34 square). Spatial autocorrelation (SA) was observed at commune level. The local indicators of the spatial association test showed statistical significance for cestode eggs (p < 0.001) with a negative SA (Moran's I Index = -0.2929, CI-95% = -0.3869--0.1989) and Ancylostomatidae (p = 0.046) with a positive SA (Moran's I Index = 0.1404, CI-95% = 0.0499-0.2309). Toxocara canis is the most prevalent geo-helminth in public places of Santiago, Chile. Spatial autocorrelation was detected for cestode eggs and Ancylostomatidae. Diagnosis and detection of parasites is key for the establishment of control/eradication of environmental dissemination following One Health guidelines.

Factors associated with the presence of helminth eggs in the soil of public areas in Concepción, Chile

The aim of this study was to assess the association between the distance to the nearest feces, the type of substrate to be studied (feces, soil, grass), and whether a given area was licensed or not with the presence of helminth eggs in Concepción, Chile. A total of 256 samples taken from feces and either from soil or grass at 10 cm, 50 cm, and 100 cm from feces (including 16 public areas), were examined for the presence of parasites using the ZnSO4 technique. The association between variables with the presence of eggs was assessed with multifactorial logistic regressions. 24.21% of samples presented at least one egg. The higher odds of Toxocara egg presence was positively associated with the licensed 'area type' and the soil 'sample type' (when compared with feces). The odds of Ancylostomatidae egg presence was positively associated with the licensed 'area type', but negatively associated with the soil 'sample type' (compared with feces). The results suggest that finding eggs must be interpreted differently based on the parasite species and substrate to be analyzed, and that the presence of parasitized dogs is a more important contributing factor than the frequency with which the ground is cleaned of feces.

Dogs from public city parks as a potential source of pollution of the environment and risk factor for human health

A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of zoonotic parasites in faeces of dogs who were visiting the public parks and to evaluate the risk they represented for the people and children visiting the same places. Parasitological analysis was performed on 300 samples of faeces, collected from public parks of the city of Niš (Tvrd– dava Park, C´ air Park, Sveti Sava Park); from autumn 2018 and spring 2019. Using standard qualitative and quantitative methods of coprological diagnostics, the presence of protozoa (Cystoisospora spp.), nematodes (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum / Uncinaria stenocephala, Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria aerophila), cestodes (Dipyllidium caninum, Taenia spp.) and trematode Alaria alata was determined. The prevalence of endoparasitoses were 58–70%, and the most prevalent were those of medium intensity. Depending on the research period, the four most frequent endoparasites were T. canis (36.66–38%), ancylostomatidae (24.66–32%), T. vulpis (20–28%) and A. alata (28%).

Automated Diagnosis of Canine Gastrointestinal Parasites Using Image Analysis

Because canine intestinal parasites are considered cosmopolitan, they carry significant zoonotic potential to public health. These etiological agents are routinely diagnosed using microscopic examination commonly used because of its low cost, simple execution, and direct evidence. However, there are reports in the literature on the poor performance of this test due to low to moderate sensitivity resulting from frequent errors, procedures and interpretation. Therefore, to improve the diagnostic efficiency of microscopic examination in veterinary medicine, we developed and evaluated a unique new protocol. This system was tested in a study involving four genera of highly prevalent canine intestinal parasites in an endemic region in São Paulo state, Brazil. Fecal samples from 104 animals were collected for this research. The new protocol had a significantly higher (p < 0.0001) number of positive cases on image data, including parasites and impurities, and was elaborate to test them with the TF-GII/Dog technique, with a moderate agreement and Kappa index of 0.7636. We concluded that the new Prototic Coproparasitological Test for Dogs (PC-Test Dog) allowed a better visualization of the parasitic structures and showed a favorable result for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites in dogs.

Toxocara prevalence in dogs and cats in Brazil

I herein review published studies reporting the prevalence of Toxocara infection in dogs and cats in Brazil. Based on data gathered from faecal examinations of approximately 38,940 dogs and 5600 cats from different Brazilian studies, the mean prevalence of Toxocara infection is 11.4% (range: 0.7-48.9%) in dogs and 16.7% (0.3-43.1%) in cats. These mean values based on faecal examinations should be interpreted with cautious, considering the obvious differences in terms of sample size, diagnostic tests and animal populations. Accordingly, necropsy investigations reveal higher mean prevalence values (21.9% for Toxocara canis and 27.6% Toxocara cati in dogs and cats, respectively). The contamination with Toxocara eggs in different environments and the significance of these parasites from a public health perspective in Brazil are briefly discussed.

Reduced prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and high frequency of protozoan infections in the surrounding urban area of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

Human populations living in the surrounding urban areas of large Brazilian cities have increased vulnerability to intestinal parasites. However, the epidemiological scenario of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in Curitiba, Paraná's main city, remains largely unknown. To bridge this gap of knowledge, this study aims to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and to investigate potential transmission pathways of the most prevalent species detected. We conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study between July and September 2014 among schoolchildren in urban and peri-urban (deprived) areas of the municipality of Campo do Tenente, Curitiba. A total of 549 stool samples were used for coproparasitological diagnosis. Microscopy-positive samples of the most common species found were re-assessed by PCR and sequencing methods at the small subunit rRNA gene. Prevalence of infection by any given enteroparasite was 24.8%, but soil-transmitted helminths were only detected in 3.5% of the examined samples. Frequency of protozoan infections reached 90% and 97.8% in single and multiple infections, respectively. Blastocystis sp. (38.9%) was the most frequently species found in the surveyed schoolchildren population. A total of 41 Blastocystis-positive samples were unambiguously typed as ST1 (36.4%), ST2 (21.2%), ST3 (39.4%), and ST1 + ST3 mixed infection (3.0%). These results indicate that Blastocystis transmission is primarily anthroponotic in origin. This data highlights the importance of maintaining the anthelminthic control programs currently in place and of improving sanitary disposal of human excreta in poor-resource settings.

Análise epistemológica dos conhecimentos científicos sobre Toxocara sp. com ênfase na infecção humana

Resumo Este artigo objetivou analisar a evolução do conhecimento sobre Toxocara sp. em seu aspecto zoonótico por meio de dados científicos entre os anos de 1996 a 2015 utilizando a epistemologia como ferramenta. A análise epistemológica da evolução do conhecimento sobre o aspecto zoonótico de Toxocara sp. no Brasil demonstrou que, de uma maneira geral, foram agregadas poucas novas informações as quais tiveram, ao longo do período estudado, absorção lenta, descontínua, e não foram inseridas na realidade social do ponto de vista de Saúde Pública.

Exposure to Animal Feces and Human Health: A Systematic Review and Proposed Research Priorities

Humans can be exposed to pathogens from poorly managed animal feces, particularly in communities where animals live in close proximity to humans. This systematic review of peer-reviewed and gray literature examines the human health impacts of exposure to poorly managed animal feces transmitted via water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related pathways in low- and middle-income countries, where household livestock, small-scale animal operations, and free-roaming animals are common. We identify routes of contamination by animal feces, control measures to reduce human exposure, and propose research priorities for further inquiry. Exposure to animal feces has been associated with diarrhea, soil-transmitted helminth infection, trachoma, environmental enteric dysfunction, and growth faltering. Few studies have evaluated control measures, but interventions include reducing cohabitation with animals, provision of animal feces scoops, controlling animal movement, creating safe child spaces, improving veterinary care, and hygiene promotion. Future research should evaluate: behaviors related to points of contact with animal feces; animal fecal contamination of food; cultural behaviors of animal fecal management; acute and chronic health risks associated with exposure to animal feces; and factors influencing concentrations and shedding rates of pathogens originating from animal feces.

Changes in biochemical analytes in female dogs with subclinical Ancylostoma spp. infection

Background

Ancylostoma spp. is one of the most prevalent canine intestinal nematode infections which usually causes subclinical disease in adult dogs and has zoonotic implications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore and evaluate the possible pathophysiological changes that Ancylostoma spp. could produce in female dogs naturally infected but without clinical signs of disease, by screening a wide variety of biochemical markers for potential changes. Samples of feces and blood of 45 dogs were collected and fecal flotation and zinc sulphate centrifugal flotation were performed. The biochemical analytes determined were: the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (Hp); the lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL); the serum iron profile: iron, unsaturated iron binding-capacity (UIBC), and ferritin; the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChe); the pancreatic profile: amylase, lipase, and trypsin-like immunoreactivity (TLI); the oxidative stress markers: total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and paraoxonase −1 (PON-1), along with total protein, albumin, and insulin-like growth factor – 1 (IGF – 1). Ancylostoma spp. eggs were detected in 29/45 dogs (64.4 %). Dogs were divided into two groups according to the results of fecal flotation methods. Group 1: negative fecal floatation (n = 16), and Group 2: subclinical infection with the observation of Ancylostoma spp. type eggs/x 40 objective fields (n = 29).

Results

Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the biochemical analyte results between the two groups (P < 0.05). Significant increases in CRP (μg/mL) (median): non-infected dogs: 5.5; subclinically infected dogs 18.7; P = 0.03, Hp (g/L) (median): G1: 2.4; G2: 3.3; P = 0.03, and UIBC (μg/dL) (median): non-infected dogs: 139.4; subclinically infected dogs: 216; P = 0.0015, and significantly decreased iron (μg/dL) (median): non-infected dogs: 202.5; subclinically infected dogs: 125.7; P = 0.0041, IGF-1 (ng/mL) (median): non-infected dogs: 224; subclinically infected dogs: 123; P = 0.02, and albumin (g/dL) (median): non-infected dogs: 2.8; subclinically infected dogs: 2.5; P = 0.04 concentrations were observed in dogs with subclinical Ancylostoma spp. infection when compared to non-infected dogs.

Conclusion

These findings provide an overview of the biochemical effects produced by patent Ancylostoma spp. in naturally infected dogs without any evident clinical signs of disease, which could be considered in differential diagnosis, especially in an endemic area for this parasite.

Molecular identification of Ancylostoma species from dogs and an assessment of zoonotic risk in low-income households, São Paulo State, Brazil

Hookworm infection stands out for its worldwide distribution and for its veterinary and public health relevance. Based on copromicroscopic examinations and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, we assessed, respectively, the prevalence of intestinal parasites and the identification of canine hookworm species in faeces recovered from 278 dogs living in households of an inland municipality of São Paulo State, Brazil. Intestinal parasites were found in 67.3% of dogs and hookworm infection was found at the highest prevalence rate (56.6%), followed by Toxocara canis (11.9%), Isospora spp. (11.9%), Giardia spp. (5.8%), Sarcocystis spp. (4.0%), 'Hammondia-like' (1.4%), Dipylidium caninum (1.1%) and Trichuris vulpis (0.7%). Of 158 samples positive for hookworm eggs, 106 (67.1%) were amplified by PCR and, of those, 88 (55.7%) were successfully sequenced for species identification. Single infections with Ancylostoma caninum and Ancylostoma braziliense were recorded in 61.4% and 12.5%, respectively, and mixed infections were found in 26.1%. The nucleotide sequences of both species showed high identity rates (98-100%) when compared with reference sequences. Although A. caninum was the most prevalent hookworm in the dogs assessed, the occurrence of both A. caninum and A. braziliense in single and/or mixed infections poses a potential risk for the local population in a low-income area, especially children, to acquire cutaneous larva migrans (CLM).

A comparison of mini-FLOTAC and FLOTAC with classic methods to diagnosing intestinal parasites of dogs from Brazil

Dogs may be affected by different species of gastrointestinal parasites which present great importance in veterinary medicine and public health. Several techniques to diagnosing these parasites have been proposed, but different performances achieved by each method make difficult the choice of the best technique to be used. In this study, the performance of two classic methods (i.e., Willis and Hoffman techniques) and two recent techniques (i.e., FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC) to diagnosing gastrointestinal parasites of dogs was evaluated. Fecal samples (n = 127) of dogs divided in pools (n = 30) were collected and analyzed using four different techniques (see above). Eggs and/or oocysts of gastrointestinal parasites were detected in 93.3 % (28/30) of the samples. In particular, 20 % (6/30) were detected through the method of Hoffman, 53.3 % (16/30) by the Willis technique, and 63.3 % (19/30) and 90 % (27/30) by Mini-FLOTAC and FLOTAC, respectively. Ancylostomatidae, Trichuris vulpis and Toxocara canis were the most frequent parasites herein detected. The FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC techniques were the most efficient tools to detect eggs and/or oocysts of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs, therefore their use is recommended in the laboratorial routine of veterinary medicine. This study is the first report of the use of both techniques (i.e., FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC) to diagnosing parasites of dogs in Brazil.