Helminths in dogs belonging to people in a resource-limited urban community in Gauteng, South Africa

One hundred and sixty-four faecal samples, 148 adhesive tape swabs and 132 blood samples were collected from dogs in Boksburg, Gauteng, to assess the prevalence of helminth parasites in the area. Sixty-nine of these dogs were also necropsied and helminths recovered from the gastro-intestinal tracts. Ancylostoma caninum was the most common helminth and was present in 88% of the dogs, followed by Dipylidium caninum in 39% of dogs, Toxocara canis in 36%, Ancylostoma braziliense in 20%, Spirocerca lupi in 14%, Toxascaris leonina in 9%, Trichuris vulpis in 6%, Joyeuxiella pascualei in 6% and Taenia spp. in 4%. Microfilariae of Dipetalonema reconditum were found in 2% of the blood samples. The results of this study extend the geographic distribution of T. vulpis. With the exception of Spirocerca and Dipetalonema, all these helminths are potentially zoonotic, and may pose a threat to community health.     

Ecological analysis and description of the intestinal helminths present in dogs in Mexico City

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of parasitoses in stray dogs from Mexico City, as well as to describe the structure of the intestinal helminth communities present in said hosts. One hundred and twenty dog intestines were collected and dissected to evaluate their parasitic load; finding parasites in 102 dogs (85%). The cestodes collected were: Dipylidium caninum in 72 dogs (60%), Taenia hydatigena in three (2.5%), Taenia pisiformis in two (1.6%), Echinococcus granulosus, Mesocestoides vogae and Mesocestoides variabilis in only one animal each (0.83%), the latter two being collected for the first time ever in Mexico City. Nematodes collected were: Ancylostoma caninum in 75 (62.5%) animals, Toxocara canis in 16 (13.3%) and Toxascaris leonina in 5 (4.16%). By age, D. caninum and A. caninum were the most prevalent species in older animals, while T. canis was more prevalent in young animals (P<0.05). By season, T. canis was most common in the dry season (P<0.05). At the parasitic community level, the diversity value was 0.32, while that of equality was 0.1; the dominant species was M. vogae (Berger-Parker index of 0.95). At the infracommunity level, both diversity and equality were low (0.31 and 0.32, respectively) as compared to that observed in wild canines; the dominant species was A. caninum (Berger-Parker index of 0.37). Qualitative similarity was 33.8%, while quantitative similarity was 32.2%. Based upon the low values for mean diversity, equality and species richness, it is possible to deduce that helminth fauna in dogs from Mexico City is weakened, especially if one compares it to that of other wild canines.     

Application of a species-specific PCR-RFLP to identify Ancylostoma eggs directly from canine faeces

Apart from their veterinary importance, the hookworms Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum are also capable of causing zoonotic disease in humans. A highly sensitive and species-specific PCR-RFLP technique was utilised to detect and differentiate the various canine Ancylostoma spp directly from eggs in faeces. This technique was utilised to screen 101 canine faecal samples from parasite endemic tea growing communities in Assam, India, as part as an ongoing epidemiological investigation into canine parasitic zoonoses. The prevalence of hookworms in dogs was found to be 98% using a combination of PCR and conventional microscopy. Overall, 36% of dogs were found positive for single hookworm infections with A. caninum, 24% positive for single infections with A. braziliense and 38% had mixed infections with both A. caninum and A. braziliense. No dogs were found positive for A. ceylanicum in the community under study. The high prevalence of A. caninum and A. braziliense in dogs in this community may account for the high incidence of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) observed among the human population residing at the tea estates. The PCR-RFLP technique described herein allows epidemiological screening of canine hookworms to be conducted rapidly, with ease and accuracy, and has the potential to be applied to a number of different clinical, pharmacological and epidemiological situations.     

Helminths in dogs from a peri-urban resource-limited community in Free State Province,South Africa

This study focused on the helminth parasites of dogs in the Bloemfontein area of the Free State Province of South Africa. Samples were collected from 63 stray dogs destined for euthanasia. Complete sets of samples, consisting of blood, faeces, adhesive tape swabs and organs (heart, lungs and complete gastro-intestinal tract) from each dog were examined for helminth parasites. Dipylidium caninum was the most common helminth, and was recovered from 44% of dogs, followed by Taenia spp. (33%), Toxascaris leonina (32%), Ancylostoma caninum (27%), Toxocara canis (21%), Ancylostoma braziliense (19%), Spirocerca lupi (13%) and Joyeuxiella sp. (5%). Although human infection with S. lupi and Joyeuxiella sp. are unlikely, all the other helminths reported in this study are zoonotic, and therefore pose a threat to community health in Bloemfontein.     

Efficacy of nitroscanate against naturally acquired infection with Ancylostoma caninum, Dipylidium caninum, and Trichuris vulpis in dogs

Eighteen dogs with naturally acquired helminth infections were used to evaluate the efficacy of nitroscanate against Ancylostoma caninum, Dipylidium caninum, and Trichuris vulpis. Approximately 15 minutes before treatment, the dogs were given 100 to 200 g of canned dog food. Ten dogs were treated with nitroscanate (50 mg/kg of body weight, PO), and 8 dogs were given placebo tablets PO. The dogs were euthanatized and necropsied 10 days after treatment and helminths were recovered from the small intestine and cecum. On the basis of the number of worms recovered from treated dogs vs the number recovered from control dogs, we determined the efficacy of nitroscanate to be 99.6% against A caninum, 99.8% against D caninum, and 0% against T vulpis.     

PCR-based coprodiagnostic tools reveal dogs as reservoirs of zoonotic ancylostomiasis caused by Ancylostoma ceylanicum in temple communities in Bangkok

A survey of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and humans from temple communities in Bangkok revealed that 58% of dogs and 3.4% of humans, among those sampled, were infected with hookworms utilising faecal flotation techniques and microscopy. A previously established polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-RFLP approach was utilised to determine the species of hookworms infecting dogs found positive for hookworm eggs. Single infections with Ancylostoma ceylanicum and Ancylostoma caninum were recorded in 77% and 9% of hookworm positive dogs, respectively and mixed infections with both species of Ancylostoma were recorded in 14% of dogs. A single-step PCR for the multiplex detection of Ancylostoma species and Necator americanus DNA in human faeces was developed and applied to characterise the species of hookworms in microscopy positive individuals. Single infection with N. americanus was recorded in five and A.ceylanicum infection in two, out of seven individuals positive for hookworm. This study demonstrates that humans are at risk of acquiring infection with A. ceylanicum in communities where this species of hookworm is endemic in dogs.     

A survey of gastro intestinal helminth parasites of stray dogs in Zaria, Nigeria.

A survey of helminth parasites in stray dogs was carried out in the Zaria area. Out of 180 dogs examined 65.6 per cent (118/180) were found positive for Ancylostoma caninum, while Toxocara canis and Trichuris vulpis were detected in 41.1 per cent (74/180) and 13.9 per cent (25/180) respectively. Other helminth parasites found Taenia ovis 35 per cent (63/180) Taenia hydatigena 67.8 per cent (122/180), Echinococcus granulosus 0.006 per cent (1/180) and Dipylidium caninum 97.8 per cent (176/180).     

Efficacy of milbemycin oxime against naturally acquired or experimentally induced Ancylostoma spp and Trichuris vulpis infections in dogs.

The efficacy of milbemycin oxime was evaluated at dosages of 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mg/kg of body weight in dogs naturally infected with mature Ancylostoma spp, at a dosage of 0.50 mg/kg in dogs with experimentally induced immature and mature A caninum, and at dosages of 0.55 to 0.86 mg/kg in dogs naturally infected with mature Trichuris vulpis. Milbemycin oxime was 95 and 99% effective against mature Ancylostoma spp at dosages of 0.50 and 0.75 mg/kg, respectively, but only 49% effective at a dosage of 0.25 mg/kg. Efficacy was 49% against pulmonary L3-L4 stages of A caninum (36 hours after inoculation), greater than 80% against L4 (120 hours after inoculation) and early L5 stages (216 hours after inoculation), and greater than 90% against experimentally induced mature stages (360 hours after inoculation). Milbemycin oxime was also 97% effective in the removal of mature Tr vulpis from naturally infected dogs. Adverse reactions were not observed following treatment in any of the dogs.     

Field evaluation of the efficacy and the safety of a combination of oxantel/pyrantel/praziquantel in the treatment of naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode and/or cestode infestations in dogs in Europe

In five multicentre field trials, the efficacy and safety of a combination of oxantel/pyrantel/praziquantel (Dolpac), Vetoquinol SA) in the treatment of naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode and/or cestode infestation in dogs was evaluated in northern and southern Europe. Forty-eight investigators from France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Spain enrolled 329 dogs to be treated with the tested combination; 235 of these dogs complied with the inclusion criteria of the protocol and had a tested helminth identified on Day 0. A pooled analysis was performed on each of the following helminth species: Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, Uncinaria stenocephala, Taenia spp. and Dipylidium caninum, which were isolated on Day 0. The main efficacy criterion was the egg per gram (epg) percent reduction of the nematodes and the absence of proglottids and or eggs for the cestodes. After treatment, dogs were examined on Day 7, Day 14 and Day 21. The efficacy of the combination against Toxocara canis was 99.1%, 98.8% and 98.9% on Day 7, Day 14 and Day 21, respectively. At the same occasions the efficacy was, respectively, 99.2%, 99.2% and 99.3% against Ancylostoma caninum, 97.3%, 97.2% and 98.4% against Trichuris vulpis, 98.4%, 98.8% and 98.8% against Uncinaria stenocephala, 98.9%, 99.5% and 99.9% against Toxascaris leonina, 97.1%, 100% and 100% against Dipylidium caninum and 100% against Taenia spp.     

An investigation into some causes of canine diarrhoea in Ibadan

Between October 1975 and March 1976, fourteen dogs of the 308 examined in the small animal clinic of the University of Ibadan were diarrhoeic while eight dogs from two experimental groups housed within the university and kept at a distance of about 1.5 km from the small animal clinic also had diarrhoea. The most common condition associated with diarrhoea in dogs in Ibadan was intestinal parasitism caused mainly by Ancylostoma caninum (six cases) Isospora canis (five cases) and Dipylidium caninum (one case). The other causes of diarrhoea were canine distemper, bacterial enteritis, canine babesiosis, traumatic gastroenteritis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis.     

Effect of milbemycin oxime against Ancylostoma caninum in dogs with naturally acquired infection

Twenty-six mixed-breed (14 males, 12 females) dogs were used in a double-blind study to evaluate the effect of milbemycin oxime against naturally acquired infection with Ancylostoma caninum. Dogs were ranked and paired, on the basis of number of hookworm eggs/g of feces, and treatment was randomly assigned. Each dog was given either the study drug or placebo (1 tablet/11.4 kg [0.5 mg/kg] of body weight). Eggs per gram of feces enumeration was done on days 3 and 7 after treatment, and dogs were euthanatized on day 7. On day 3, 5 of the 13 dogs in the milbemycin-treated group had hookworm eggs in the feces (results of the McMaster test). In these dogs, mean number of eggs per gram of feces had decreased markedly (from 5,289 to 452) and, by day 7, was 114. At necropsy, 16 A caninum adults were recovered from 2 of the milbemycin-treated dogs. On day 3, 12 of the 13 dogs in the placebo-treated group had hookworm eggs in the feces. Mean number of eggs per gram of feces in these dogs decreased slightly (from 5,243 to 2,646), but did not decrease further by day 7. A mean number of 54.4 A caninum adults was recovered from 12 of the 13 placebo-treated dogs at necropsy. Milbemycin oxime had 97.8% efficacy against A caninum. Results also indicated that milbemycin oxime may be effective against Trichuris vulpis, but not against Dipylidium caninum.     

Anthelmintic efficacy of febantel combined with praziquantel in dogs

Ninety-four dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups (5 treated and 1 untreated control) for evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy. Three anthelmintic formulations were studied: a febantel paste, a praziquantel paste, and a combination paste containing both active ingredients. Treated dogs were dosed once daily for 3 days. The minimal effective dosages in combination were established as 10 mg of febantel and 1 mg of praziquantel/kg of body weight. At those dosages for the combination, 99.5% to 100% of the major nematodes and cestodes identified (ie, Ancylostoma caninum, Trichuris vulpis, Toxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, and Taenia pisiformis) were eliminated. Febantel paste (10 mg/kg) alone was ineffective against cestodes (14.2% elimination of Dipylidium caninum) and praziquantel paste (1 mg/kg) alone was ineffective (0% to 2.4% elimination) against nematodes.     

477例门诊犬寄生虫种类和感染情况的调查

对2012年-2015年西北农林科技大学西安动物医院门诊确诊的477例犬寄生虫感染资料进行分类统计和分析,以期了解西安地区犬寄生虫的种类和感染情况,对犬寄生虫的防控提供依据。结果显示,从感染犬中共检出14种寄生虫,每种寄生虫的阳性率依次为:吉氏巴贝斯虫51.79%(247/477),等孢球虫16.15%(77/477),贾第鞭毛虫11.74%(56/477),犬弓首蛔虫6.71%(32/477),疥螨4.41%(21/477),蠕形螨4.41%(21/477),犬复孔绦虫3.78%(18/477),犬钩口线虫2.31%(11/477),犬耳痒螨1.89%(9/477),吸吮线虫0.63%(3/477),华支睾吸虫0.42%(2/477),弓形虫0.42%(2/477),犬尾旋线虫0.21%(1/477),犬恶丝虫0.21%(1/477)。混合感染两种及以上寄生虫的犬占5.45%(26/477)。肠道寄生虫中的等孢球虫、贾地鞭毛虫、犬弓首蛔虫和犬钩口线虫等容易发生混合感染。寄生虫和病毒合并感染犬占8.39%(40/477),犬细小病毒(CPV)、犬瘟热病毒(CDV)和犬冠状病毒(CCV)常与犬肠道寄生虫合并感染。许多寄生虫感染与犬的年龄有密切关系,季节对寄生虫感染也有影响。原虫感染特别是吉氏巴贝斯虫感染应当引起重视。控制犬与寄生虫传播媒介的接触、改善犬的饲养管理条件对寄生虫感染的预防十分重要。     

Effects of milbemycin oxime on adult hookworms in dogs with naturally acquired infections

Previous work indicated that adult Ancylostoma caninum can be removed from experimentally infected dogs, using a formulation of milbemycin oxime at dosage of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight. To determine the efficacy of this treatment in dogs naturally infected with adult hookworms, 24 mixed-breed dogs with patent hookworm infections were purchased from an out-of-state vendor, and 6 male and 6 female dogs were assigned to either a control group or a group that would be treated. Dogs were treated 10 days after their arrival and were euthanatized 1 week after treatment. Beginning 3 days before treatment, fecal samples were collected daily from all dogs, and the number of Ancylostoma eggs per gram of dry weight of feces was determined from each sample. By 1 week after treatment, the mean number of eggs being passed by the treated dogs had dropped from 12,700 to 10 eggs/g of dried feces; there was no apparent change in fecal egg counts for dogs of the control group. At necropsy, the mean number of adult A caninum in dogs of the treated and control groups was 1.3 and 56, respectively; in these naturally infected dogs, efficacy of treatment was calculated to be 97.8%. The mean number of adult Trichuris vulpis recovered in dogs of the control and treated groups at necropsy was 24 and 0, respectively, which yielded treatment efficacy of 100%. Although Uncinaria stenocephala and Toxocara canis appeared also to be removed by use of this dosage, too few dogs were in the study to calculate meaningful efficacies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Activity of ivermectin against canine intestinal helminths

The anthelmintic activity of ivermectin was tested in 98 dogs against adult ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, A braziliense), and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis), and against experimentally induced infections (4th-stage larvae) of T canis and A caninum. Dosage levels tested were single subcutaneous injections of 50, 100, 200, or 400 micrograms/kg of body weight with appropriate vehicle-treated controls. A minimum of 4 (usually 5) dogs were tested with each parasite and dosage level. The lowest dosage level, 50 micrograms/kg, and all higher dosage levels expelled greater than 99% of the adult forms of both species of hookworms and intestinal larval forms of A caninum, as determined by worm counts at necropsy. A dosage level of 100 micrograms/kg was required to expel greater than 99% of whipworms and 200 micrograms/kg was necessary to expel adult (91%) and larval (97%) stages of T canis. Ivermectin was only marginally effective (34.2%, 46.2%, 69.2%, and 53.8%) against Toxascaris leonina at 50, 100, 200, and 400 micrograms/kg, respectively, and had no effect against occasional infections with the tapeworms, Dipylidium caninum (14 dogs) and Taenia spp (3 dogs).     

Encroachment of Echinococcus granulosus into urban areas in eastern Queensland, Australia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus in wild dogs (dingos and dingo-domestic dog hybrids) living in and around human habitation on Fraser Island and in townships of the Maroochy Shire, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, Australia. DESIGN: Wild dogs were humanely killed on Fraser Island and in the Maroochy Shire because they were deemed a potential danger to the public. Their intestines were collected and the contents examined for intestinal parasites. PROCEDURE: Intestines were removed as soon after death as possible, packed in plastic bags and kept frozen until examination. The intestinal contents were washed, sieved and examined microscopically for the presence of helminths, which were identified and counted. RESULTS: Intestines from 108 wild dogs, 7 foxes and 18 Fraser Island dingoes were examined. Echinococcus granulosus was only present in the wild dogs from Maroochy Shire (46.3%) with worm burdens of between 30 and 104,000. Other helminths included Spirometra erinacei, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara canis. Two specimens of a trematode (Haplorchinae sp.) usually found infecting fish and seabirds were recovered from a Fraser Island dingo. CONCLUSION: Dingoes on Fraser Island are not infected with E. granulosus and do not pose a hydatid disease public health risk to residents or visitors. However, wild dogs examined from the Maroochy Shire do present a potential hydatid disease public health risk.     

兰州市门诊宠物犬猫胃肠道寄生虫感染情况调查

为摸清兰州市宠物犬、猫胃肠道寄生蠕虫的感染情况,于2008年6月～2009年5月通过肛门直接收集,或采集自然排出的粪便,册沉淀法和漂浮法相结合对256只犬、57只猫进行了虫卵或虫体检查。结果显示,256只犬中有48Z犬感染胃肠道寄生虫,感染率18．75％,主要检出犬弓首蛔虫、泡状带绦虫、犬钩虫、犬复孔绦虫、细粒棘球绦虫、华支睾吸虫6种虫卵或／和虫体;57只猫中有14只感染胃肠道寄生虫,感染率24．56％,主要检出犬复孔绦虫、华支睾吸虫、泡状带绦虫3种虫卵或／和虫体。     

A cross-sectional study of Leishmania spp. infection in clinically healthy dogs with polymerase chain reaction and serology in Greece

The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in stray dogs, and dogs with owners was investigated by fecal examinations from 271 dogs employing sedimentation, simple flotation and centrifugation-flotation methods. The centrifugation-flotation method, when compared to simple flotation or sedimentation methods was generally more accurate in the diagnosis of all intestinal parasites, but statistical differences were detected only in relation to Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. (synonym Isospora spp.). The following parasites, with their respective prevalence, were diagnosed in the fecal samples: Ancylostoma spp. (23.6%); Toxocara canis (5.5%); Trichuris vulpis (4.8%); Spirocerca lupi (1.9%); Dipylidium caninum (0.7%); Giardia spp. (12.2%); Hammondia heydorni (2.6%); Cystoisospora spp. (8.5%); and Sarcocystis spp. (2.2%). The prevalence of most parasites was similar for dogs of mixed-breed and for dogs of a defined-breed, except for Cystoisospora spp. and T. canis which showed a significantly higher prevalence in mixed-breed dogs. The prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. (17.1%) was significantly lower in stray dogs than in those with an owner (31.9%) and the prevalence of Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. was higher in stray dogs (P < 0.05). No effect of season on the occurrence of the different parasite genera could be observed, except for Ancylostoma spp., for which an increase in the percentage of dogs shedding eggs was observed at the beginning of Summer with a peak occurrence during April and May (Autumn). The prevalence of Ancylostoma spp., T. canis, T. vulpis, Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. was higher in adult males than in adult females, but significant differences between the two groups occurred only with Giardia spp. Young animals were found to more frequently shed Nematode eggs in feces than adult animals.     

Field trials of the anthelmintic efficacy of nitroscanate and mebendazole in dogs

The efficacies of nitroscanate and mebendazole against nematodes and Dipylidium caninum were compared by the examination of the faeces of 155 dogs. In unweaned puppies nitroscanate acted significantly faster and was significantly more effective than mebendazole against Toxocara canis. In adult dogs, both drugs had a low efficacy against Trichuris vulpis but a similarly good efficacy against other nematodes, with a tendency for nitroscanate to be more effective in reducing the prevalence of Ancylostoma caninum. Nitroscanate reduced the prevalence of D caninum infections considerably more than mebendazole.     

Specificity of scolex and oncosphere antigens for the serological diagnosis of taeniid cestode infections in dogs

Groups of dogs raised free of helminths were monospecifically infected with the common nematodes Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis. Serums from these dogs, and a group of dogs of unknown history but infected with Dirofilaria immitis and Dipylidium caninum, had levels of antibody to their homologous nematode antigens readily detectable by ELISA. No cross-reactions were apparent when these serums were tested by ELISA using oncosphere antigens of Taenia hydatigena, T. pisiformis and T. ovis, scolex excretory/secretory antigens of T. hydatigena, T. pisiformis and Echinococcus granulosus or protoscolex antigen of E. granulosus.