Canine and feline parasitic zoonoses in China.

Jia Chen,Chun-Ren Wang,Xing-Quan Zhu,Hui-Qun Song,Min-Jun Xu,Dong-Hui Zhou

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-5-152

Abstract

Canine and feline parasitic zoonoses have not been given high priority in China, although the role of companion animals as reservoirs for zoonotic parasitic diseases has been recognized worldwide. With an increasing number of dogs and cats under unregulated conditions in China, the canine and feline parasitic zoonoses are showing a trend towards being gradually uncontrolled. Currently, canine and feline parasitic zoonoses threaten human health, and cause death and serious diseases in China. This article comprehensively reviews the current status of major canine and feline parasitic zoonoses in mainland China, discusses the risks dogs and cats pose with regard to zoonotic transmission of canine and feline parasites, and proposes control strategies and measures.

Highlights

Pet dogs and cats are often considered to be the faithful friends and intimate companions of humans, and enjoy life together with humans
Dogs and cats act as reservoirs of a large number of pathogens of parasitic zoonoses, such as toxoplasmosis [2], giardiasis [3], toxocariasis [4] and ancylostomiasis [5]
It is timely to review comprehensively the current status of major canine and feline parasitic zoonoses in mainland China, discuss the risks dogs and cats pose with regard to zoonotic transmission of canine and feline parasites, and propose control strategies and measures

Summary

Background

Pet dogs and cats are often considered to be the faithful friends and intimate companions of humans, and enjoy life together with humans. People in some P/A/M such as Hubei, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces have the higher prevalence [57,58,59] Many carnivorous animals such as cats and dogs serve as definitive hosts of P. westermani, and cats and dogs are considered to be the most important reservoir hosts for human infections in endemic regions in China [60]. Since the faecal-oral route (via water or food) is a major transmission model for soil-transmitted helminth infections, widespread contamination of environment or drinking water with parasite eggs, oocysts, or infective larvae may induce the occurrence of parasitic zoonoses, in particular in rural areas where stray dogs and cats enjoy water sources together with humans.

61. Dubey JP

72. Yason J

83. Wittner M: Tanowitz H B

Findings

97. Zhang LY