Diphtheria-like human illness caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans is an emerging threat in developed countries, with incidence sometimes higher than that of diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Companion animals are considered a potential source of human infections. In order to determine the prevalence of C. ulcerans among dogs, we performed a screening for the bacterium in 583 dogs in the custody of the Osaka Prefectural government. Forty-four dogs (7.5 %) were positive for the bacterium, although they did not show any clinical symptoms. All bacterial isolates showed resistance or decreased sensitivity to clindamycin, and some showed decreased sensitivity to levofloxacin. Comparative analysis of isolates using PFGE, toxin gene typing and antibiotic sensitivities suggests that transmission between asymptomatic dogs might have occurred.

This study aimed to investigate intestinal helminth infection in stray dogs in Osaka Prefecture by surveying coprological samples from dogs captured from 2006–2011. Of 212 fecal samples collected, overall prevalence of infection was 39.2%. The most common species was Toxocara canis (25.0%), followed by Trichuris vulpis (8.0%), Spirometra erinaceieuropaei (3.3%), Taeniidae (2.4%), Ancylostoma caninum (1.9%) and Toxascaris leonine (0.5%). In the molecular analysis, all of the taeniid eggs were negative for Echinococcus multilocularis and were identified as other taeniid species (e.g., Taenia pisiformis). Our results suggest that stray dogs remain important infection reservoirs of zoonotic parasites in Osaka Prefecture. Therefore, control of stray dogs is crucial for reducing the risk of public health problems due to parasitic infections.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract