Abstract
BackgroundDogs have a close association with humans providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein. However, dogs are also potential carriers of zoonotic pathogens. Dogs, therefore, pose a public health risk and a good understanding of canine diseases is important for planning and implementing control measures. The aim of this study was to characterise canine helminthiasis in sub-Saharan Africa using a systematic approach.MethodsPubmed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant primary studies published from 2000. Forty-one eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled prevalences were estimated using the quality effects model.Results and conclusionsTwenty-six genera of enteric helminths were reported and the pooled estimate of canine helminthiasis was 71% (95% CI: 63–79%). Species of Ancylostoma and Toxocara, causative agents of larva migrans in humans, were the most frequently reported helminths with pooled estimated prevalences of 41% (95% CI: 32–50%) and 22% (95% CI: 16–29%), respectively. Dipylidium caninum and Taenia spp. were the most frequently reported cestodes with pooled estimated prevalences of 20% (95% CI: 12–29%) and 9% (95% CI: 5–15%), respectively. Trematodes were rarely reported. There was a high level of heterogeneity in most pooled estimates (I2 ˃ 80%). The results of this study show that canine helminthiasis is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and there is need for regular deworming programmes to improve the health status of the dogs and minimise the potential health risk to humans.
Highlights
Dogs have a close association with humans providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein
Dipylidium caninum and Taenia spp. were the most frequently reported cestodes with pooled estimated prevalences of 20% and 9%, respectively
The results of this study show that canine helminthiasis is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and there is need for regular deworming programmes to improve the health status of the dogs and minimise the potential health risk to humans
Summary
Dogs have a close association with humans providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein. Dogs have a close association with humans providing companionship, security and protein [1]. Dogs are carriers of zoonotic pathogens including Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma spp. Toxocara canis can cause diarrhoea, poor growth and death if present in large numbers in puppies [2]. Ancylostoma spp. are one of the most pathogenic helminths in dogs, especially puppies [2]. These nematodes are hematophagous and can cause anaemia and death if present in large numbers [2]. Canine zoonotic helminths pose a public health risk through environmental faecal contamination [3,4,5]
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