A Survey of Intestinal Helminths of Dogs in Slovakia with an Emphasis on Zoonotic Species

Overview

Journal Animals (Basel)

Date 2021 Oct 23

PMID 34680018

Citations 4

Authors

Julia Jarosova

Daniela Antolova

Branislav Lukac

Aladar Madari

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Dogs are the most popular pets worldwide; however, close contact with people increases the risk of transmission of different zoonotic parasites. This study aims to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in dogs in Slovakia. A total of 495 faecal samples collected from pet, shelter, guard, working (police), and hunting dogs, as well as dogs from segregated Roma settlements between 2016 and 2021, were examined using flotation and molecular methods. Eggs of intestinal helminths were detected in 134 (27.1%) samples. Microscopically, six different species/genera/families, namely, (14.7%), (1.6%),   (6.3%), spp. (1.4%), / spp. (8.3%), and taeniid eggs (4.0%), were recorded. Molecular analyses revealed infection with in 2.2% of dogs and 0.4% of the animals were infected with . The results showed a correlation between the occurrence of intestinal helminths and the availability of veterinary care, as dogs from Roma settlements and shelter dogs were the most often infected (66.7% and 39.2%, respectively). On the other hand, working animals were in the best health condition, with only 2.5% being positive. The relatively frequent occurrence of zoonotic species points to the constant need for preventive measures and regular deworming of dogs.

Citing Articles

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Owned Dogs in Serbia: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Jovanovic N, Bisenic O, Nenadovic K, Bogunovic D, Rajkovic M, Maletic M Animals (Basel). 2024; 14(10).

PMID: 38791680 PMC: 11117320. DOI: 10.3390/ani14101463.

Risk factors associated with dog endoparasites infection spread in East Slovak Lowland.

Ihnacik L, Smigova J, Soltys J, Blistan P, Kovanic L, Blistanova M Helminthologia. 2023; 60(2):152-160.

PMID: 37745229 PMC: 10516475. DOI: 10.2478/helm-2023-0014.

Grassland versus forest dwelling rodents as indicators of environmental contamination with the zoonotic nematode Toxocara spp.

Krupinska M, Antolova D, Tolkacz K, Szczepaniak K, Strachecka A, Goll A Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):483.

PMID: 36627309 PMC: 9832041. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23891-6.

A Survey of Helminths of Dogs in Rural and Urban Areas of Uzbekistan and the Zoonotic Risk to Human Population.

Safarov A, Mihalca A, Park G, Akramova F, Ionica A, Abdinabiev O Pathogens. 2022; 11(10).

PMID: 36297142 PMC: 9610627. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101085.

References

Macpherson C . The epidemiology and public health importance of toxocariasis: a zoonosis of global importance. Int J Parasitol. 2013; 43(12-13):999-1008. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.07.004. View

Traversa D, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Di Cesare A, La Torre F, Drake J, Pietrobelli M . Environmental contamination by canine geohelminths. Parasit Vectors. 2014; 7:67. PMC: 3929561. DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-67. View

Morelli G, Bastianello S, Catellani P, Ricci R . Raw meat-based diets for dogs: survey of owners' motivations, attitudes and practices. BMC Vet Res. 2019; 15(1):74. PMC: 6399943. DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-1824-x. View

Deplazes P, Eichenberger R, Grimm F . Wildlife-transmitted and cysticercosis and coenurosis in humans and other primates. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl. 2019; 9:342-358. PMC: 6626850. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.03.013. View

Simekova K, Rosolanka R, Szilagyova M, Antolova D, Novakova E, Novak M . Alveolar Echinococcosis of the Liver with a Rare Infiltration of the Adrenal Gland. Helminthologia. 2021; 58(1):100-105. PMC: 7912238. DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0002. View

Dinkel A, Njoroge E, Zimmermann A, Walz M, Zeyhle E, Elmahdi I . A PCR system for detection of species and genotypes of the Echinococcus granulosus-complex, with reference to the epidemiological situation in eastern Africa. Int J Parasitol. 2004; 34(5):645-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2003.12.013. View

Bowles J, McManus D . NADH dehydrogenase 1 gene sequences compared for species and strains of the genus Echinococcus. Int J Parasitol. 1993; 23(7):969-72. DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(93)90065-7. View

Dubna S, Langrova I, Napravnik J, Jankovska I, Vadlejch J, Pekar S . The prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs from Prague, rural areas, and shelters of the Czech Republic. Vet Parasitol. 2006; 145(1-2):120-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.11.006. View

Banovcin P, Rosolanka R, Simekova K, Szilagyiova M, Masna J . Imported skin parasitosis. Cas Lek Cesk. 2018; 157(4):208-210. View

10.

Freeman L, Chandler M, Hamper B, Weeth L . Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat-based diets for dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013; 243(11):1549-58. DOI: 10.2460/javma.243.11.1549. View

11.

McConnell A, Brown C, Shoda T, Stayton L, Martin C . Friends with benefits: on the positive consequences of pet ownership. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2011; 101(6):1239-52. DOI: 10.1037/a0024506. View

12.

Lee A, Schantz P, Kazacos K, Montgomery S, Bowman D . Epidemiologic and zoonotic aspects of ascarid infections in dogs and cats. Trends Parasitol. 2010; 26(4):155-61. DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.01.002. View

13.

Feckova M, Antolova D, Zalesny G, Halanova M, Strkolcova G, Goldova M . Seroepidemiology of human toxocariasis in selected population groups in Slovakia: A cross-sectional study. J Infect Public Health. 2020; 13(8):1107-1111. DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.04.006. View

14.

Poglayen G, Marchesi B . Urban faecal pollution and parasitic risk: the Italian skill. Parassitologia. 2006; 48(1-2):117-9. View

15.

Antolova D, Jarcuska P, Janicko M, Madarasova-Geckova A, Halanova M, cislakova L . Seroprevalence of human Toxocara infections in the Roma and non-Roma populations of Eastern Slovakia: a cross-sectional study. Epidemiol Infect. 2015; 143(10):2249-58. PMC: 9506991. DOI: 10.1017/S0950268814003665. View

16.

Dyachenko V, Beck E, Pantchev N, Bauer C . Cost-effective method of DNA extraction from taeniid eggs. Parasitol Res. 2008; 102(4):811-3. DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0855-6. View

17.

Little S, Johnson E, Lewis D, Jaklitsch R, Payton M, Blagburn B . Prevalence of intestinal parasites in pet dogs in the United States. Vet Parasitol. 2009; 166(1-2):144-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.07.044. View

18.

Antolova D, Reiterova K, Miterpakova M, Dinkel A, Dubinsky P . The first finding of Echinococcus multilocularis in dogs in Slovakia: an emerging risk for spreading of infection. Zoonoses Public Health. 2008; 56(2):53-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01154.x. View

19.

Genchi C, Di Sacco B, Gatti S, Sangalli G, Scaglia M . Epidemiology of human toxocariasis in northern Italy. Parassitologia. 1990; 32(3):313-9. View

20.

Hochedez P, Caumes E . Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans. J Travel Med. 2007; 14(5):326-33. DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2007.00148.x. View