Prevalence of Helminths of Importance for Human Health in Stray Dogs in Lusaka Zambia.
Keywords:
Gastrointestinal helminths, Lusaka, Prevalence, Stray Dog, Zoonoses
Abstract
Stray dogs destined for euthanasia were collected from January 2010 through December 2010 to determine the presence of zoonotic gastrointestinal (GI) helminths in Lusaka district. A total of 33 stray dogs (male=18, female=15) were collected, euthanized and necropsy information obtained via helminthological approach. 100% (33/33) were infected with one or more helminth parasites. Multiple infections involving nematodes and cestodes were the most prevalent (63.6%), followed by nematodes only (33.3%) with cestodes only being the least prevalent (3.0%). The most prevalent GI helminth parasite was Ancylostomacaninum(93.9%) with the least prevalent being Toxocaracanis(6.1%). No positive case of Trichinella spiraliswas reported from direct trichinoscopy examination of striated muscles. The mean count per dog of A. caninumwas 44.45 (SD ±58.0) with a range of 0 to 223. The presence of three important zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths (A. caninum,T. canisand Dipylidiumcaninum) reported in this study underscores the importance of controlling helminthosis in stray dogs and stresses the need to establish a national control programme for parasitic diseases in this dog population.This can be achieved through vigorous implementation of the laws governing control of stray dogs and regular deworming of owned dogs. Controlling zoonotic helminths in dogs will ensure a minimal public health risk from the dog population in Zambia since they act as a source of infection to other dogs as well as humansReferences
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3. Dohoo IR, McDonell WN, Rhodes CS, and Elazhary YL. Veterinary research and human health. Can. Vet. J. 1998; 39: 549-556.
4. Dvir E, Kirberger SRM, Clift J, and. Van der Merwe LL.Review: challenges in diagnosis and treatment of canine spirocercosis. Isr. J. Vet. Med.2010; 65: 5 10.
5. Eguia-Aguilar P, Cruz-Reyes A, and Martinez-Maya JJ. Ecological analysis and description of the intestinal helminths present in dogs in Mexico City. Vet. Parasitol. 2005; 127: 139-146.
6. Islam AW, and Chizyuka HG. Prevalence of helminth parasites of dogs in Lusaka, Zambia. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 1983; 15: 234-236.
7. Macpherson CNL, Human behavior and the epidemiology of parasitic zoonoses. Int. J. Parasitol.2005; 35: 1319-1331.
8. Manual of Veterinary Parasitological Techniques, 1980. Technical Bulletin18, London, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
9. McCarthy J, and Moore T. Emerging helminth zoonoses.Int. J. Parasitol.2000; 30: 1351-1360.
10. Minnaar WN, Krecek RC, and Fourie LJ. Helminths in dogs from a peri-urban resource-limited community in Free State Province, South Africa. Vet. Parasitol. 2002; 107: 343-349.
11. Molyneux DH, Neglected Diseases but unrecognized successes-challenges and opportunities for infectious disease control. Lancet2004; 364: 380-383.
12. Pozio E, New pattern of Trichinella infection. Vet. Parasitol2001; 98: 133-148.
13. Rinaldi L, Biggeri A, Carbone S, Musella V, Catelan D, Veneziano V, et al. Canine faecal contamination and parasitic risk in the city of Naples (southern Italy). BMC Vet. Res.2006; 2: 29.
14. Robertson ID, Irwin PJ, Lymbery AJ, and Thompson RCA. The role of companion animals in the emergence of parasitic disease. Int. J. Parasitol.2000; 30: 1369-1377.
15. Schandevyl P, Mbundu T, and Sumbu W. Prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs in Kinshasa Zaire. Ann. Soc. Belge. Trop. Med.1987; 67: 369-374.
16. Soulsby, EJL, 1982. Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa thof Domesticated Animals. 7Edition, Bailliere Tindal, London,. 24-338.
17. Stafford KJ. (in Stafford, KJ Edition), 2006. Free living dogs. The welfare of dogs. Netherlands, Springer,. 31–54.
18. Susan E, and Aiello BS. 1998. The Merck Veterinary thManual, 8Edition, Merck and CO., INC Whitehouse Station. N.J., U.S.A,. 314-325, 2170-2177.#
19. Ugbomoiko U, Ariza L, and Heukelbach J. Parasites of importance for human health in Nigerian dogs: high prevalence and limited knowledge of pet owners. BMC Vet. Res.2008; 4: 49.
20. Urquhart GM, Armour J, Duncan JL, Dunn AM,and Jennings FW, 1987. Veterinary Parasitology. Longman Scientific and Technical,. 3-134, 269-279
Published
2012-03-31
How to Cite
1.
Bwalya E, S N, B N. Prevalence of Helminths of Importance for Human Health in Stray Dogs in Lusaka Zambia. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 31Mar.2012 [cited 31Jul.2025];1(1):21-4. Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/331
Section
Veterinary Medicine
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