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Flores V, Viozzi G, Rauque C, Mujica G, Herrero E, Ballari SA, Ritossa L, Miori G, Garibotti G, Zacharias DG, Treuque J, Reissig EC, Vázquez G, Pierangeli N, Lazzarini L. A cross-sectional study of free-roaming dogs in a Patagonian city: Their distribution and intestinal helminths in relation to socioeconomic aspects of neighborhoods. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 33:100747. [PMID: 35820719 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100747] [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: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Human and dog health are inextricably linked, and although our relationship with dogs brings numerous benefits for our well-being, it is known that they can transmit disease. Bariloche is a Patagonian tourist city with heterogeneous social composition. This cross-sectional study evaluates the population of free-roaming dogs and their intestinal parasites in relation to the socioeconomic level of the city's human population. Census areas were used as survey units, stratified in three levels according to socioeconomic status. The free-roaming dog population was estimated by walking around each census area. Eight fresh feces per census count area were collected and analyzed using coproparasitological flotation tests, and CoproELISA was used to detect Echinococcus sp. A total of 858 free-roaming dogs were registered along 40.9 km, with significant differences between socioeconomic strata: the highest numbers were found in the lowest income strata. Of the feces collected, 39.2% tested positive for parasites, those associated with a lower socioeconomic level having higher percentages of positive feces and a greater number of species. Eight species of helminths were found, some of which were zoonotic, such as Echinococcus sp., Toxocara canis, and Dibothriocephalus latus. The presence of parasites can be explained by the number of free-roaming dogs per census count area. The free-roaming dogs generally have owners, and their parasitic infection is strongly associated with the socioeconomic level of the population. The main problem is irresponsible pet care, which generates healthy conditions for both dogs and humans. Thus, both dogs and humans deserve effective ethical public policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Flores
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.
| | - Gustavo Viozzi
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Carlos Rauque
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Mujica
- Unidad Regional de Epidemiología y Salud Ambiental, Zona Andina, Ministerio de Salud de la provincia de Río Negro, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Herrero
- Unidad Regional de Epidemiología y Salud Ambiental, Zona Andina, Ministerio de Salud de la provincia de Río Negro, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Sebastián A Ballari
- CONICET, Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi - CENAC (APN), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Luciano Ritossa
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Miori
- Instituto de Formación Docente Continua Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Gilda Garibotti
- Departamento de Estadística, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Daniela G Zacharias
- Departamento de Estadística, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Judith Treuque
- Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Elizabeth Chang Reissig
- Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche (INTA-CONICET), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Vázquez
- Hospital Zonal Dr. Ramón Carrillo, Ministerio de Salud de la provincia de Río Negro, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Nora Pierangeli
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina
| | - Lorena Lazzarini
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina
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Santos KN, Viozzi GP, Flores VR. Dog care and parasitosis in a rural community of Patagonia: An integrative approach. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2021; 25:100583. [PMID: 34474807 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Human interaction with dogs can potentially lead to zoonoses. The aim of this integrative approach is to describe the relationship between dog parasites, dog care, and the human population of a rural Patagonian village. Surveys were carried out to evaluate owners' attitudes towards dogs, and coproparasitological and coproELISA analyses were performed to determine parasitic infection values. Fur samples and vegetable garden soil were also analyzed. A multivariate regression was performed to identify factors determining infection. All households owned at least one dog, of which only 54.9% had been dewormed in the past three months, and almost half of which were allowed to roam freely. Dogs with protozoan and helminth infections represented 68.8% of the total, 50% being parasitized by helminths of 7 species, including the zoonotic Toxocara canis, Uncinaria sp. Ancylostoma sp. and Echinococcus sp. All hair samples were negative, but 42.8% of vegetable gardens harbored Ancylostomatidae larvae. Statistical analyses indicated that the predictor "time since last deworming" explained infections by Cryptosporidium sp. and helminths, while the predictors "number of dogs per household", "sex", and "freedom to roam" explained the infections by helminths. This shows that the longer the time interval since the last deworming treatment, the greater the probability of a dog being infected by some type of parasite, either Cryptosporidium sp. or a helminth. On the other hand, the probability of being infected by helminths increased when there was more than one dog in the household. Furthermore, male dogs and dogs allowed to roam freely were more likely to be infected. Considering the inadequate care and sanitary status of dogs infected with zoonotic species, it is necessary to raise awareness of the need for responsible care of dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina N Santos
- Residente de Salud Pública Veterinaria de la Unidad Regional de Salud Ambiental, San Carlos de Bariloche, Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Río Negro, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Gustavo P Viozzi
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA) (Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET), Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Verónica R Flores
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (INIBIOMA) (Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET), Río Negro, Argentina.
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