Risk of Toxocara canis eggs in stray and domestic dog hair in Egypt

The aim of the study was to assess whether the hair of stray and domestic dogs in Egypt was contaminated with the eggs of the zoonotic parasite Toxocara canis, and also to identify risk factors for T. canis for contamination. Paired samples of hair and feces were collected from 53 stray and 47 domestic dogs, and hair samples were obtained from a further 11 stray and 9 domestic dogs. All samples were examined to identify T. canis eggs and, if eggs were found, their maturation stage. Eggs were identified in 26.6% of stray and 10.7% of domestic dog's hair samples. A significantly increased risk of embryonated T. canis eggs in hair samples was found in stray dogs (p=0.04), stray dogs had 3.18 (95% CI: 1.04-9.74) times the odds of having T. canis eggs present compared with domestic dogs. There was also a significant difference (p=0.02) between the mean quantity of eggs per gram in stray (77.6±6.54) and domestic (48.7±6.65) dog's hair. Fecal examination found a T. canis egg prevalence of 35.8% and 21.3% in stray and domestic dogs, respectively. As no domestic dogs which were positive from hair samples had negative fecal samples, this indicates that the presence of T. canis eggs in hair is probably due to self contamination. Two stray dogs had positive hair samples but negative fecal samples indicating that contamination may also be environmental. As both non-embryonated and embryonated T. canis eggs were found in the hair of domestic dogs, direct contact with dogs may be a potential risk factor for transmission of T. canis eggs to humans.     

Immediate intradermal flea antigen reactivity in clinically normal adult dogs from south Florida, USA

Eighty-six clinically normal adult dogs from southern Florida, USA, with no history of dermatitis, were intradermally skin tested with Greer flea antigen 1:1000 w/v to determine the prevalence of positive immediate intradermal reactivity. This study describes the test group of animals and reports the prevalence of sensitivity to the Greer whole-body flea antigen in normal dogs living in a flea-rich environment. Similar to previous research, the highest prevalence of reactivity to flea antigen occurred at 3–4 years of age. The results indicate that 24% of clinically normal dogs from a flea-rich environment exhibited positive immediate skin test reactivity. These dogs had no clinical signs of flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) in spite of ongoing flea exposure. A 2-year follow-up telephone call to the owners of these flea antigen intradermal skin test (IDST)-positive dogs indicated that only two of 21 dogs had developed clinical signs of FAD.     

An investigation into the bacterial contamination of goniolenses in use in clinical practice

Objectives To report the incidence and evaluate the clinical significance of goniolens bacterial contamination in clinical use in dogs with three different usage protocols and one with an added cleaning protocol. Animals Studied and Methods Three groups of twenty dogs undergoing gonioscopy at a private practice in the UK had the goniolenses swabbed for bacteriology culture and identification prior to placement on the cornea. Three protocols of lens use, with 2 different types of goniolens, were studied. One protocol was then repeated with 21 dogs with a lens cleaning protocol prior to storage. Results Low levels of bacterial contamination were found in all 3 initial groups (10‐15%). No correlation was found between usage protocol used and rate of contamination and no correlation was found between length of storage between use and contamination. All bacteria cultured were considered naturally occurring commensals for the canine eye and environment. The group with a cleaning protocol had a 4.7% contamination rate. This was not statistically different from the non‐cleaning groups. Conclusions The rate of bacterial contamination of goniolenses in clinical practice is low and the bacterial contaminants consist of commensal bacteria, unlikely to be of detriment to the eye. Minimal contamination of the goniolenses was found and this did not appear to be of clinical significance. The introduction of a simple cleaning protocol did not produce a statistically significant reduction in bacterial contamination.     

Bacterial contamination of commercial ear cleaners following routine home use

Ear cleaning solutions are designed for repeated use, which raises the possibility for bacterial contamination leading to recurrent or persistent infectious otitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of bacterial contamination of commercial ear cleaners following routine home use in dogs and to describe the characteristics that are associated with contamination. Used ear cleaner bottles and information regarding their use were obtained from canine owners visiting veterinary dermatologists. Both the bottle applicator tips and the solution contents were cultured for aerobic bacteria. Bacterial contamination was present on 10% of the bottle tips and in 2% of the solutions. Isolated bacteria included Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Bacillus spp., coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp. and Burkholderia cepacia. The contamination rate was significantly higher on the applicator tips than in the solutions (P = 0.0076). The applicator tip contamination rate was significantly higher in expired samples (17%) than in-date samples (4%; P = 0.0277). The bottle sizes were significantly larger for the samples with contaminated applicator tips compared with noncontaminated tips (P = 0.0455). The contamination rate was significantly higher when Tris-EDTA was an ingredient. Cleanliness of the bottle, contact with the ear canal and infection status of the ear at time of culture had no bearing on the contamination rate. In summary, with routine home use of commercial ear cleaners, pathogenic bacterial contamination is of minor concern. This concern may increase when expired products or larger bottles of ear cleaner are used and when Tris-EDTA is an ingredient.     

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs under veterinary care in Maracaibo, Venezuela

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs presented to the Veterinary Policlinic of the University of Zulia (PVU) was measured between January and December 2001. A total of 614 fecal samples were evaluated by the fecal flotation method. One or more species of parasites was identified in 218 (35.5%) dogs. The parasites most frequently detected were: Ancylostoma spp. (24.5%), Toxocara canis (11.4%) and Isospora spp. (8.1%). Single parasitic infections were present in 149 (24.3%) dogs. The age distribution of intestinal parasites in dogs less than 1 year old had a higher overall prevalence than those dogs over 12 months of age. There was no significant difference in the prevalence between male (38.9%) and female (31.7%) dogs. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) greater prevalence of parasites in mixed-breed dogs (40.3%) as compared with pure-breed dogs (30.8%). A significant difference (P < 0.05) was detected between the general prevalence of January and December compared to August.     

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in dogs in a high-risk setting

Dogs infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis can develop clinical tuberculosis (TB) but there are currently no validated immunological assays for diagnosing this infection in this species. Using a post mortem survey we investigated the prevalence of non-clinical M. tuberculosis infection and clinical TB disease in a high-risk population of dogs and developed and utilised a novel interferon-gamma release assay to determine the risk of transmission of M. tuberculosis from TB patients to contact dogs. The prevalence of clinical TB in dogs from a high-risk setting was 1% (95% CI: 0-5%) while the prevalence of immunological sensitization to M. tuberculosis antigens in dogs living in contact with sputum smear-positive TB patients was 50%. The IGRA proved a useful test of M. tuberculosis infection in dogs and the high levels of transmission of this pathogen from humans to companion dogs should be considered when assessing the zoonotic risks associated with such animals.     

Low ratios of sodium to potassium in the serum of 238 dogs

Serum sodium:potassium (Na:K) ratios are often reported in biochemical studies of dogs, although their value has not been assessed. The aims of this study were to identify diseases associated with a low Na:K ratio in dogs and to compare their prevalence with the prevalence in dogs from the same referral hospital with normal Na:K ratios. A total of 238 dogs with a Na:K ratio less than 27 were identified from medical records. Sample contamination with edta was suspected in 74 cases (31 per cent) and these and two cases that had been supplemented with potassium were removed from the analysis. The remaining 162 cases and 147 control dogs were divided into five categories depending on the organ system affected. Among the cases there were significantly more in the endocrine category than among the control dogs. Hypoadrenocorticism was the most single common cause of a low Na:K ratio and affected 27 (16.7 per cent) of the cases. Other clinical problems associated with low Na:K ratios included different urogenital, cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.     

Prevalence of Ehrlichia canis infection in thrombocytopenic dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Infection with Ehrlichia canis causes a highly variable, multisystemic disease in dogs. Nevertheless, many clinicians in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, use the presence of only thrombocytopenia to make a presumptive diagnosis of E canis infection. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of E canis in thrombocytopenic dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Following DNA extraction of whole blood samples from 226 dogs, PCR assays were done using primers for rickettsial DNA (including Ehrlichia spp, Anaplasma platys and A phagocytophilum) and using E canis-specific primers (16S rRNA gene). Dogs were grouped as thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic based on platelet counts. The null hypothesis that there was no difference in the prevalence of E canis in these groups was rejected at P<.05. RESULTS: Thirty-six (32.1%) of the thrombocytopenic dogs and 4 (3.5%) of the nonthrombocytopenic dogs were positive for rickettsial gene sequences (P<.0001). Further, 30 (26.8%) of thrombocytopenic dogs and 4 (3.5%) nonthrombocytopenic dogs were positive for E canis-specific gene sequences (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of E canis infection was higher in thrombocytopenic dogs, less than one third of these dogs had demonstrable E canis infection. Thus, thrombocytopenia is not specific for the detection of E canis infection and should not be used solely to establish a diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis, even in a geographic area with relatively high disease prevalence.     

Prevalence of canine gastrointestinal helminths in urban Lusaka and rural Katete Districts of Zambia

Faecal samples were collected from January 2010 through September 2010 to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) helminths infestation in dogs in urban Lusaka and rural Katete Districts of Zambia. A total of 452 faecal samples (n=160 Katete, n=292 Lusaka) were examined by faecal flotation for the presence of helminth eggs and 82.5% of dogs were positive for GI helminths in Katete compared to 76% for Lusaka. Positive results with the presence of at least one parasite corresponded to 72.9% Ancylostoma caninum, 11% Toxocara canis, 4.8% Toxascaris leonina, 2.4% Dipylidium caninum, 0.7% Taeniidae and 0.3% T. vulpis, species for Lusaka while Katete recorded 70.6% A. caninum, 18.1% T. vulpis, 11.1% T. canis, 13.1% D. caninum, 3.8% T. leonina, and 0.6% Taeniidae. Except for T. vulpis and D. caninum (p<0.05) the results indicated no significant difference in the prevalence of the identified GI helminth between Lusaka and Katete. There was no significant difference in the prevalence between genders of GI helminth infestation demonstrated in this study and only A. caninum showed significant difference in prevalence by age category. The study also showed the presence of zoonotic intestinal helminths A. caninum, T. canis and D. caninum. The study highlights that there was no significant difference in spectrum and prevalence of GI helminths between urban and rural areas in Zambia. It further brings to light the importance of educating owners of dogs on the importance of regular deworming of dogs and control of ectoparasites in order to minimise the risk that these dogs pose to them and the public.     

PREVALENCE OF CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA IN A VETERINARY TEACHING HOSPITAL POPULATION

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of canine HD in a population in which there was minimal or no prior screening of radiographs for the disorder. Patient information was obtained from the radiographic database at the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Teaching Hospital during the five-year period of 1991-1995. The coxofemoral joints on ventrodorsal radiographs of the pelvis were independently evaluated by three veterinary radiologists. A consensus evaluation of normal, borderline, or dysplastic was compiled. There were 2885 dogs identified representing 116 breeds and the mixbreds. There were 2236 purebred dogs (1071 males and 1165 females) and the prevalence of HD was 19.7%. There were 649 mixbred dogs (340 males and 309 females) and the prevalence of HD was 17.7%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HD between sexes or between purebred and mixbred dogs (P = 0.16; P = 0.29). Degenerative joint disease (DJD) was the most common radiographic manifestation of HD and there appeared to be a threshold at 12 months of age after which the presence of DJD was the primary diagnostic criteria.     

Occurrence of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Dogs in the Urban Area of Monte Negro,Rondônia,Brazil

The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dogs in an urban area of the municipality of Monte Negro, Rondônia, Brazil, was evaluated using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Blood samples were taken from 157 dogs living in 85 of the 94 blocks of the city. A seropositivity of 76.4% (120/157) was found and associations between the prevalence and the variables sex, age, type of raising and food were studied. The prevalence tended to increase with age (p<0.05); dogs over 24 months old had 85.5% (100/117) positivity, compared with 50% (20/40) in dogs less than 24 months old, showing postnatal exposure to the agent. It was also observed that dogs with access to the streets showed greater prevalence (84.9%) than companion animals (58.8%). There was no association between sex or the type of food (home-made or commercial) and anti-T. gondii antibodies.     

Prevalence of anti-T. canis antibodies in stray dogs in Mexico City

Toxocara canis is a common intestinal helminth found in dogs. In humans, it is a cause of Visceral Larva Migrans (VLM), a zoonosis rarely studied in Mexico. The aim of this study is to examine, by means of the indirect haemaglutination test (IHAT), the prevalence of antibodies of T. canis in the serum of stray dogs in Mexico City. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 141 stray dog serum samples from three different districts of the city were analyzed: Iztacalco (49), Iztapalapa (49) and Coyoacan (43). In each location three study groups were formed. Group I with 35 dogs (less than a year old), Group II with 91 dogs (ages 1相似文献   

The risk of salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets

Twenty-eight research dogs were enrolled to determine the prevalence of salmonellae shedding after consumption of 1 Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diet meal. Sixteen dogs were exposed to Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets and 12 to Salmonella-free commercial raw food diets. Seven of the exposed dogs shed salmonellae 1-7 days after consumption of Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets. None of the dogs fed Salmonella-free diets shed salmonellae. No clinical signs were observed in either group. Five of the 7 dogs shed the same serotypes as those recovered from food samples used for feeding. Results showed the same serotypes and antimicrobial resistance pattern in 2 of the 7 shedders. Dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated raw food diets can shed salmonellae and may, therefore, be a source of environmental contamination potentially leading to human or animal illness.     

Infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs in Germany

The main objectives of this prospective study were to establish prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in dogs from Northeast Germany; and to evaluate the hematological parameters of sero- or real-time PCR-positive clinically healthy dogs. The mean prevalence of A. phagocytophilum seropositivity of 522 dogs (258 suspected to have anaplasmosis, 264 healthy) was 43%. There was no difference between sick (46.9%) and healthy dogs (39.8%) (p = 0.100). The PCR test was positive in 30 dogs (20 sick, 10 healthy); morulae were found in 12 of them. Twenty-six of 30 dogs tested PCR-positive between May and September (p < 0.05). There was no difference with regard to abnormal CBC parameters between seropositive and seronegative clinically healthy dogs. The CBC was within reference range in 10 PCR-positive clinically healthy dogs suggesting a routine examination of blood donors for A. phagocytophilum in endemic areas to minimize the risk of transmission.     

Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 1989

In late November 1989, 1732 clinics and institutional veterinarians were sent a questionnaire to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis, and 51.7% responded. Of 247,716 dogs tested, 394 had D. immitis microfilariae and 51 were amicrofilaremic for a total of 445 cases and heartworm prevalence of 0.17%. Most (408) of these dogs had no preventive medication and the prevalence among dogs tested and unprotected was 1.01%. That prevalence was considerably higher in endemic areas. Thirty-seven dogs with heartworm had preventive medication. Heartworm was most frequent in companion dogs over three years of age maintained outdoors in rural areas. About 75% of the cases had never left Canada, 26% had clinical signs and 125 were not treated.

Heartworm was reported from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, but 383 cases were in Ontario. South-western Ontario was the primary focus of infection. There were 33 cases in Quebec and 24 in Manitoba, mainly found in and around Metropolitan Montreal and Winnipeg respectively.

     

Prevalence of dog intestinal nematode parasites in south central West Virginia, USA

Coprological examination was used to determine prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes in a sample of 231 dogs (117 females and 114 males) during the summer of 2009 at a veterinary clinic in south central West Virginia, USA. Clinical signs (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, weight gain or loss) were noted in addition to a history of anthelmintic usage. A total of 79 dogs (33.6%) were infected with one or more intestinal nematodes. Most dogs (58) were parasitized with a single species, 19 were parasitized with 2 species, and 2 were parasitized by 3 species. There was no significant difference (i.e., X(2)<3.84; P>0.05) in prevalence of infection between female and male dogs for any of the identified nematode species. The chi-square test for equality of proportions was used to determine prevalence of infection in 3 age categories of dogs (females and males combined): young dogs (≤12 months of age); mature dogs (13-83 months); and old dogs >83 months. Prevalences of infection for Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis were significantly (P<0.005) higher in young dogs, whereas there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in prevalence by age category for Trichuris vulpis. Dogs exhibiting clinical signs were no more likely to harbor intestinal nematodes than dogs that were asymptomatic. Additionally, dogs receiving heartworm treatment were significantly less likely to be parasitized than dogs receiving no heartworm prophylaxis.     

Prevalence and intensity of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes schrencki) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides albus) in Otaru City, Hokkaido, Japan

A survey was done in an attempt to investigate the epidemiological status of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes and raccoon dogs in Otaru city from June to September 1999. Sixty-seven red foxes (Vulpes vulpes schrencki) and 13 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides albus) were captured, and postmortem examinations were conducted with them. Thirty-eight red foxes (56.7%) and 3 raccoon dogs (23.1%) were found to be infected with E. multilocularis. The total biomass of E. multilocularis in all infected red foxes and raccoon dogs were 2,817,000 and 1,515 worms, respectively. Nine of the infected red foxes harboring more than 100,000 worms accounted for 90.6% of the total biomass. No significant differences in the prevalence were observed between male and female, and juvenile and adult. However, the worm burden was higher in juvenile than in adult foxes. In one of the infected raccoon dogs, mature worms and eggs of E. multilocularis were found in the intestine and fecal sample, respectively. This result suggested that the raccoon dogs are probably playing a small role in the egg contamination of the environment. The validity of coproantigen ELISA for diagnosis of foxes was confirmed by comparing the results of autopsy, egg examination and coproantigen ELISA using rectal fecal samples.     

Seroprevalence of canine dirofilariosis in South Korea

Eight-hundred and forty eight dogs (480 females and 368 males) not on chemoprophylaxis were examined for Dirofilaria immitis infection from 2001 to 2002. Three-hundred and thirty nine (40.0%) of 848 samples tested with antigen detecting ELISA kits showed positive reaction for D. immitis antigen. More male (43.5%) than female (37.3%) dogs were affected in this study, although there was no significant difference between both groups. Chi2 analysis showed that female and male dogs of shoreline areas had higher significant prevalence than other areas (P<0.001), respectively. The mean overall positive rates of heartworm infection were 10.4% in dogs <2-year-old group, 46.5% in 2-4-year-old group, 48.4% in 4-6-year-old group and 50.3% in >6-year-old group. The older the age, the higher the prevalence of D. immitis infection in this study. Chi2 analysis revealed a significant higher prevalence in 4-6-year-old group (100%) of shoreline areas and in 2-4-old-year group (51.2%) of urban areas (Chungnam province), respectively (P<0.001), and also revealed that the over 6-year-old group (50.3%) in mean overall prevalence had the significant higher prevalence than other age group (P<0.001). In climate comparison, our data showed that shoreline areas (69.5%) had the significant higher prevalence than urban areas and mountain areas (P<0.001). This survey confirms that the prevalence of canine heartworm infection increases, and also that the prevalence in shoreline areas is higher than in other areas in South Korea.     

Evaluation of bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 240 samples from 20 raw meat diets for dogs (containing beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey), 24 samples from 2 dry dog foods, and 24 samples from 2 canned dog foods. PROCEDURE: Each product was purchased commercially on 4 dates approximately 2 months apart. Three samples from each product at each sampling period were evaluated via bacterial culture for non-type-specific Escherichia coli (NTSEC), Salmonella enterica, and Campylobacter spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on selected isolates. Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect DNA from Cryptosporidium spp, Neospora spp, and Toxoplasma spp in samples obtained in the third and fourth sampling periods. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three of 288 (53%) samples were contaminated with NTSEC. Both raw and prepared foods contained NTSEC during at least 1 culture period. Salmonella enterica was recovered from 17 (5.9%) samples, all of which were raw meat products. Campylobacter spp was not isolated from any samples. In 91 of 288 (31.6%) samples, there was no gram-negative bacterial growth before enrichment and in 48 of 288 (16.7%) samples, there was no aerobic bacterial growth before enrichment. Susceptibility phenotypes were variable. Cryptosporidium spp DNA was detected in 3 samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bacterial contamination is common in commercially available raw meat diets, suggesting that there is a risk of foodborne illness in dogs fed these diets as well possible risk for humans associated with the dogs or their environments.     

The veterinary and public health significance of hookworm in dogs and cats in Australia and the status of A. ceylanicum

There is no current information regarding the prevalence of hookworm in Australian dogs and cats and based on the results of studies conducted over 20 years ago, where high prevalences of helminths were recorded, the prophylactic administration of broad spectrum anthelmintics has been advocated. During this study, faecal samples were collected from dogs (n=1391) and cats (n=1027) across Australia. Samples were examined by microscopy and information regarding the demographics of each animal, and the management practices they experienced were recorded. A highly sensitive and species-specific PCR-RFLP technique was utilized to differentiate the various hookworm species which can infect dogs and cats directly from eggs in faeces. The prevalence of hookworm in dogs and cats was found to be 6.9% and 1.4%, respectively. Ancylostoma ceylanicum was detected for the first time in Australia in 10.9% of the dogs found positive for hookworm. Significantly, A. ceylanicum is capable of causing a patent infection in humans. After adjusting for other factors with multiple logistic regression, dogs from refuges, dogs originating from a tropical climatic zone, dogs aged 1 year or less, and those dogs which had not received anthelmintics were significantly more likely to be parasitized. Only univariate analysis was conducted for the cats as there were too few samples positive for hookworm. Cats were more likely to be infected with hookworm if they were from refuges, originated from a tropical climatic zone, and had not received treatment with anthelmintics. The results of this study demonstrates the importance of having current information regarding the prevalence of parasites of dogs and cats and the risk factors associated with infection, as well as the need to reassess the veterinary and public health concerns regarding hookworm infection and its control, which are currently based on out-dated information.