Abstract
Intestinal nematodes are among the most common parasites of dogs, being Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. threats to public health due to their zoonotic potential. In this study, three parasitological diagnostic techniques for detecting the eggs/oocysts of canine intestinal parasites were evaluated. Fecal samples (n = 285) were collected from the environment (i.e. public streets, squares and homes) in Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil. Samples were analyzed using the Willis-Mollay simple flotation technique, spontaneous sedimentation (Hoffman, Pons and Janer) and modified centrifugal flotation. Among the samples analyzed, 56.49% (161/285) showed eggs and/or oocysts of intestinal parasites. In particular, 44.21% (126/285) were detected by the Willis technique, 45.14% (121/268) by centrifugal flotation and 31.57% (90/285) by the Hoffmann technique. The kappa index indicated good concordance between the centrifugal flotation and Willis techniques (κ = 0.625), whereas fair concordance was observed between Hoffmann and Willis (κ = 0.480), and between Hoffman and centrifugal flotation (κ = 0.433). In conclusion, the centrifugal flotation technique showed high sensitivity towards detecting Ancylostoma spp. and Toxocara spp. (the most common parasites in this study) and could be used in association with the Willis technique to obtain safe diagnoses within routine laboratory analysis.
Highlights
Parasitic diseases are among the most important zoonoses throughout the world and are considered to be a serious threat to socioeconomic equilibrium, in developing countries [1]
Parasites that affect dogs, such as the helminths Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp., which are the causative agents of visceral larva migrans (VLM) and cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), respectively, present great sanitary importance [2] [3]
Most of these intestinal parasites (e.g. Toxocara spp., Ancylostoma spp. and Cystoisospora canis) present cosmopolitan distribution, and they are most prevalent in tropical areas with inadequate sanitary conditions [6] [7]
Summary
Parasitic diseases are among the most important zoonoses throughout the world and are considered to be a serious threat to socioeconomic equilibrium, in developing countries [1]. Despite the wide range of therapeutic and prophylactic measures currently available, eggs and oocysts of parasites are commonly detected in the feces of dogs, and their elimination in the environment facilitates transmission to other hosts, including humans [4] [5]. Most of these intestinal parasites (e.g. Toxocara spp., Ancylostoma spp. and Cystoisospora canis) present cosmopolitan distribution, and they are most prevalent in tropical areas with inadequate sanitary conditions [6] [7]. Human infection is not restricted only to the household environment, but comes especially through public places such as squares and streets [8]-[12]
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