Parasites with zoonotic potential in dog feces and sand collected in public squares of Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Abstract

The presence of parasitized animals in streets, squares, parks, and other public places contributes to environmental contamination by infective forms of zoonotic parasites. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the frequency of eggs, cysts, oocysts and/or larvae of parasites in samples of sand and feces present in nine public squares in the city of Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, through the four seasons of the year. Samples were collected between March 2021 and April 2022, totaling 223 dog feces samples and 106 sand samples. The dog feces samples were analyzed by the Willis method and by the Faust method, and the sand samples were analyzed by the Hoffman method and by the method of Flotation in Saturated Sodium Chloride Solution (NaCl). All analyzed squares had at least one positive sample. Of the 223 stool samples collected from March 2021 to April 2022, 31 (13.9%) were positive for at least one parasite. Of the registered positive samples, Ancylostoma spp. was the most frequent parasite, observed in 26 samples (57.8%); followed by Entamoeba sp., identified in 11 samples. As for the contamination of the sandboxes, of the 106 samples collected, 11 (10.37%) were positive for some parasite. These results highlight the importance of improving public spaces, and school educational campaigns highlighting the importance of hygiene and reducing contamination by infective parasites, thus contributing to improving public health in the city of Blumenau, SC. KEY WORDS: Zoonoses; sand contamination; hookworm; public spaces.