Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hookworm infections in dogs and cats in Iran - what to know
By Sharifdini, Meysam et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2025·Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hookworm infections in carnivores in Iran: a One Health concern.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at hookworm infections in dogs, cats, and golden jackals in northern Iran, particularly along the Caspian Sea. Researchers examined 172 animals that had been killed on the road and found that about 27% of them had hookworms. They identified different types of hookworms in the animals: one type was found in dogs and jackals, another in cats, and a third type was also found in dogs and jackals. The study highlights the potential health risks these parasites pose to both animals and humans. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of understanding hookworm infections and their implications for public health.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dogs and cats can harbor hookworms, which may contribute to zoonotic infections. This study investigates hookworm infections in carnivores from the Caspian Sea littoral region of northern Iran, focusing on molecular and morphological identification. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2015 and October 2024, involving 172 road-killed carnivores including 78 stray dogs (Canis familiaris), 62 golden jackals (Canis aureus), and 32 stray cats (Felis catus), all collected from the northern Iranian provinces of Guilan and Mazandaran. RESULTS: Overall, 46 (26.74%) animals tested positive for hookworms. Among these, Ancylostoma caninum was found in dogs and golden jackals, Ancylostoma tubaeforme in cats, and Uncinaria stenocephala in dogs and golden jackals. Morphological analyses confirmed key differences between A. caninum and A. tubaeforme, including size, esophageal features, and bursal structure. Molecular identification was supported by 18S, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA, 28S, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COX1) gene sequences, demonstrating high similarity with previously identified isolates in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and COX1 sequences revealed distinct clades for each species, with A. caninum and A. tubaeforme clustering together in the Ancylostoma spp. group. CONCLUSION: These results provide important insights into hookworm diversity and highlight the zoonotic risks posed by these parasites.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40281564/