High Frequency of Enteroparasite Infection in Dogs (&lt;i&gt;Canis familiaris&lt;/i&gt;) in Urban Regions of Esp&amp;iacute;rito Santo, Brazil

Roberta Bastos Costa,Dominik Lenz,Gisele Pereira Valdetaro,Racire Sampaio Silva,Denise Coutinho Endringer,Célio Siman Mafra Nunes,Kalline Pereira Aroeira,Betânia Barreiro Santos

doi:10.3844/ajavsp.2016.8.10

High Frequency of Enteroparasite Infection in Dogs (<i>Canis familiaris</i>) in Urban Regions of Esp&iacute;rito Santo, Brazil

Roberta Bastos Costa, Dominik Lenz + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3844/ajavsp.2016.8.10

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to perform examinations of canine fecal samples collected in the urban region, focusing on enteroparasitological diseases, common zoonosis that have their risk of transmission increased due to the growing number of stray dogs in these areas. One hundred and twenty fecal samples of stray dogs were collected from various locations of the studied region and processed by the method of Mollay Willis and Hoffman. Fifty local residents were interviewed, using a semi-structured questionnaire containing questions concerning personal hygiene, stray dogs as a risk factor and parasitological diseases knowledge. Parasitological contamination was observed in 75.9% of the samples; the main parasite was Ancylostoma spp. (72.5%), followed by Toxocara spp. (8.3%). In 24.1% of the samples, less relevant or non-important zoonosis helminths were found. Of those interviewed, only three (6%) were aware of the risk of parasitic contamination by dog feces. The high rate of dogs with infection by enteroparasites along with a lack of knowledge of the population about these infections represents a high risk of zoonosis and zooanthroponosis.

Highlights

Human exposure to zoonotic agents is enhanced by the following factors: (1) the growing number of pets in society, especially in large cities (Gennari et al, 1999); (2) human hygiene behavior; (3) the increasing interaction of humans and canines; and (4) cultural preferences and inadequate sanitation (Macpherson, 2005)
In the context of epidemiology, stray dogs have an important impact in environmental contamination
Canine population in the city, with more than 1,200 dogs registered to be vaccinated in 2009, according to the Campaign of Pet Rabies vaccination data provided by the Center for Zoonosis Control of Vila Velha-ES

Summary

Introduction

Human exposure to zoonotic agents is enhanced by the following factors: (1) the growing number of pets in society, especially in large cities (Gennari et al, 1999); (2) human hygiene behavior; (3) the increasing interaction of humans and canines; and (4) cultural preferences and inadequate sanitation (Macpherson, 2005). The purpose of this study was to analyze the occurrence of intestinal helminths in the feces of stray dogs from the urban area of the city of Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil.

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Results

Conclusion