Toxocara canis is a helminth zoonosis that is estimated to infect more than 100 million dogs and 1 billion people, mostly in the tropics. Humans can be infected by accidentally ingesting embryonated T. canis eggs from the environment or occasionally after ingesting L 3 larvae from paratenic hosts. This study investigated the importance of vertical transmission and the role of puppies in the epidemiology of T. canis through the examination of fecal samples from dogs less than one year of age in Grenada, West Indies, a small island tropical developing country. Samples were stored at 4 °C or in 10% formalin until microscopic examination for helminth eggs or using a rapid antigen test for the presence of protozoan species. A knowledge, attitudes and practices study was completed among dog owners, physicians and veterinary students. Of 306 dogs less than one year of age, 147 (48%) were found to have T. canis eggs. Vertical transmission was indicated by the proportion of infected dogs increasing from 50% at two weeks of age (from in utero transmission) to 70% by 12 weeks (in utero and lactogenic transmission). After 12 weeks the positivity rate dropped rapidly with no dogs over 40 weeks of age being infected. As T. canis eggs were found in puppy feces at two weeks of age, initial treatment of puppies should begin earlier, at twelve days post-partum, than currently recommended to prevent shedding of eggs. Perhaps even more importantly, treatment of pregnant dogs, preventing vertical transmission, would have a major impact on the control of T. canis infection. Knowledge of T . canis and other zoonotic helminths such as Ancylostoma caninum was found to be low among dog owners, physicians and veterinary students. None of the dog owners treated their dogs for helminths, all were unaware of the risk of zoonoses, and only 9% picked up dog feces. Efforts to prevent vertical transmission and to increase awareness and knowledge of these zoonoses could result in reducing their public health impact.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Toxocara canis in puppies under 1 year of age and to understand the human-puppy relationship and risk behavior and also to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding its zoonotic potential amongst puppy owners, veterinarians, physicians and 6th term veterinary students Methods: A cross-sectional prevalence study in puppies less than one year of age was conducted by collecting fecal samples from puppies during the period January through November 2017 from households in all 6 parishes throughout Grenada. These were tested for T. canis positivity. The owners of the puppies as well as veterinarians, physicians and veterinary students were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results: A total of 306 fecal samples were collected. 147 (48%) puppies were positive for T. canis; of these 142 puppies were < 7 months of age and 5 between 7-10 months. 35 owners never treated puppies, 97% never spayed or neutered their adult dogs, 68% allowed their puppies to roam free and only 9% cleaned up after their puppies. 16.7% of physicians spoke with patients about zoonotic disease potential, none have ever diagnosed toxocariasis in adults or children in Grenada, and 60% cited ‘no concern’ regarding the zoonotic potential of T. canis to their patients. 6.5% of veterinary students ranked a ‘significant concern’ regarding the zoonotic potential of T. canis, 3.3% were aware of four clinical toxocariasis syndromes in humans and 64.5% correctly identified the main route for human transmission. Conclusion: Puppies present a zoonotic threat to public health in Grenada. The zoonotic nature of T. canis is predominantly unknown to the public and there is a need for educating the general public regarding its public health importance.
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