Abstract
Humans can get infected through direct or indirect contact with infective stages of zoonotic parasites shed to the environment through dog faeces. This study was designed to investigate the presence of gastrointestinal parasites present in dog faeces shed on the street of Ibadan metropolis, one of the largest cities in Africa. Twenty-three locations were randomly selected using grid-sampling method. A total of 203 faecal samples collected from the streets of selected areas were processed for detection of helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts using flotation technique. Eggs/oocysts per gram of faeces was counted using modified McMaster technique. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 43.3% (88/203). Single and multiple infections were 69 (78.4%) and 19 (21.6%) respectively. The parasites detected were Ancylostoma sp. 24.6% (50/88) Isospora sp. 14.2% (29/88), Toxocara sp. 9.8% (20/88), Uncinaria sp. 2.5% (5/88) and Strongyloides sp, 3.9% (8/88). Ancylostoma sp. (320 × 102 epg) and Uncinaria sp. (5 × 102 epg) had the highest and least intensity respectively. Streets within residential areas having markets had the highest number of positive samples. All the genera of parasites detected in this study have zoonotic potential. The high prevalence of zoonotic parasites detected in dog faeces from Ibadan metropolis showed that infected stray dogs roam the streets and constitute potential risk to human health. This study suggests the need for enforcement of laws restraining roaming or straying dogs and proper veterinary care of dogs. None declared.
Highlights
Two important examples of zoonotic parasites of dogs are Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis. 6, 7 A. caninum has been reported as the etiology of eosinophilic enteritis in humans
10 It has been reported that wind, rain, arthropods, human and vehicular traffic can aid the spread of infective stages of parasites present in dog faeces to human food and water sources. 11, 12
The higher prevalence of Ancylostoma sp. over other species in this study suggests that the parasite is highly infective and efficiently transmitted to stray dogs and its ova could be maintained in expelled dogs’ faeces in large numbers for a long time
Summary
Dog plays important role in the epidemiology of some parasitic infections that affect humans, thereby making the control of those parasites in dogs a public health concern.[4, 5] Dogs shed oocysts, eggs or larvae of zoonotic parasites into the environment and humans get infected directly through contact with dog or faeces containing infective stage of the parasites or indirectly through ingestion of contaminated water and/or food.[3] Two important examples of zoonotic parasites of dogs are Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis. An increase in the population of dogs that roam the streets will increase environmental pollution with dog faeces, thereby constituting potential risk for human health due to the possibility of transmission of zoonotic parasites. An increase in the population of dogs that roam the streets will increase environmental pollution with dog faeces, thereby constituting potential risk for human health due to the possibility of transmission of zoonotic parasites. 10 It has been reported that wind, rain, arthropods, human and vehicular traffic can aid the spread of infective stages of parasites present in dog faeces to human food and water sources. 11, 12
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
