Abstract
The overall goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in dogs in the city of Villahermosa in Tabasco, Mexico. The study population consisted of 302 owned dogs that had limited access to public areas. A fecal sample was collected from each animal and examined for GI parasites by conventional macroscopic analysis and centrifugal flotation. Fecal samples from 80 (26.5%) dogs contained GI parasites. Of these, 58 (19.2%) were positive for helminths and 22 (7.3%) were positive for protozoan parasites. At least seven parasitic species were identified. The most common parasite was Ancylostoma caninum which was detected in 48 (15.9%) dogs. Other parasites detected on multiple occasions were Cystoisospora spp. (n = 19), Toxocara canis (n = 7) and Giardia spp. (n = 3). Three additional parasites, Dipylidium caninum, Trichuris vulpis and Uncinaria spp., were each detected in a single dog. No mixed parasitic infections were identified. In summary, we report a moderately high prevalence of GI parasites in owned dogs in Villahermosa, Tabasco. Several parasitic species identified in this study are recognized zoonotic pathogens which illustrates the important need to routinely monitor and treat dogs that live in close proximity to humans for parasitic infections.
Highlights
Domestic dogs are important reservoirs of many zoonotic pathogens including several gastrointestinal (GI) parasites (ROBERTSON et al, 2000; ROBERTSON & THOMPSON, 2002; TAN, 1997)
T. canis infections can manifest as visceral larva migrans, ocular larva migrans and covert toxocariasis
Fecal samples from 302 owned dogs that presented at the Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco (UJAT) veterinary clinic from January to December 2013 were analyzed for the presence of parasites by macroscopic inspection and centrifugation-flotation
Summary
Domestic dogs are important reservoirs of many zoonotic pathogens including several gastrointestinal (GI) parasites (ROBERTSON et al, 2000; ROBERTSON & THOMPSON, 2002; TAN, 1997). Hookworms (i.e. Ancylostoma and Uncinaria spp.) are zoonotic GI parasites commonly acquired from dogs (BOWMAN et al, 2010; ROBERTSON & THOMPSON, 2002). Hookworm larvae can penetrate intact human skin and migrate through subcutaneous tissues, and this usually occurs after contact with soil contaminated with infected animal feces. Hookworm infections can result in skin, enteric and pulmonary diseases such as cutaneous larva migrans. Hookworms commonly associated with cutaneous larva migrans include Ancylostoma braziliense, A. caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala. Dogs are reservoirs of several protozoan parasites (i.e. Giardia duodenalis and Cystoisospora spp.) of zoonotic concern (FENG & XIAO, 2011; ROBERTSON & THOMPSON, 2002; RYAN & CACCIO, 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
