Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intestinal parasites in dogs and cats in Madrid and public health
By Mateo, Marta et al.·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2023·Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and public health relevance of enteric parasites in domestic dogs and cats in the region of Madrid (Spain) with an emphasis on Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that nearly half of the dogs and cats tested in Madrid were infected with intestinal parasites, with Giardia duodenalis being the most common in dogs. This parasite can pose health risks to humans, especially if pets are not properly cared for. Puppies and kittens were more likely to have these infections and show symptoms like diarrhea. To prevent these infections, it's important for pet owners to maintain good hygiene and take their pets for regular veterinary check-ups. Keeping infected pets away from vulnerable people can also help reduce the risk of transmission.
People also search for: dog diarrhea causes · Giardia treatment for dogs · puppy intestinal parasites prevention
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pet dogs and cats exert an unquestionable beneficial effect in the well-being of their owners, but can also act as a source of zoonotic infections if improperly cared. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the occurrence, risk factors, genetic variability and zoonotic potential of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats attended in a clinical veterinary setting in Spain. METHODS: Canine (n = 252) and feline (n = 35) faecal samples were collected during 2017-2019 and analysed by coproparasitological methods. A rapid lateral immunochromatographic test (ICT) was used for detecting Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp. Samples positive at microscopy examination and/or ICT were reassessed by molecular methods. RESULTS: Overall, 48.8% (123/252) of dogs and 48.6% (17/35) of cats were infected by enteric parasites. In dogs, G. duodenalis was the most prevalent species (40.9%), followed by Cystoisospora sp. (7.1%), and Toxocara canis (5.2%). In cats, Joyeuxiella sp. and Toxocara cati were the dominant species (20.0% each), followed by G. duodenalis (14.3%), D. caninum (5.7%) and Cystoisospora felis and Toxascaris leonina (2.9% each). Pups and kittens were more likely to harbour intestinal parasites and develop clinical signs. Sequence analyses of dog isolates revealed the presence of assemblages A (n = 1), C (n = 4), D (n = 4) and C+D (n = 1) within G. duodenalis; C. parvum (n = 1) and C. canis (n = 4) within Cryptosporidium and PtEb IX (n = 1) in Enterocytozoon bieneusi. A novel C. canis subtype family, named XXi, is reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that (i) well-cared dogs carry zoonotic enteric protozoan parasites of public health relevance, (ii) proper hygiene practices and routine veterinary treatment are essential to prevent zoonotic infections, (iii) vulnerable populations should avoid contact with pups/kittens with diarrhoea and (iv) infected dogs might be major contributors to the environmental contamination with soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) eggs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37725371/