Gastrointestinal helminths of stray dogs in Erzurum province: Prevalence and risk to public health

Abstract

Dogs play an important role in public health due to their close contact with humans. This study aimed to investigate the presence and prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in stray dogs in Erzurum province. Gastrointestinal helminth eggs were detected in 190 out of 446 (42.6%) dog fecal samples collected in Erzurum. More specifically, taeniid eggs (17.71%, 79/446), Toxocara canis (16.82%, 75/446), Toxascaris leonina (12.78%, 57/446), Linguatula spp. (4.48%, 20/446), Alaria spp. (2.91%, 13/446), hookworms (2.69%, 12/446), spiny-headed worms (1.12%, 5/446), and Trichuris spp. (0.22%, 1/446) eggs were identified. These findings indicate zoonotic parasites to be common in stray dogs in Erzurum. The public health risk associated with the presence of these zoonotic parasites can be reduced through the regular deworming of stray dogs, the prevention of environmental contamination with dog feces, and the adequate enforcement of sanitation protocols.