A cross‐sectional study of intestinal parasitoses in dogs and children of the periurban area of La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina): Zoonotic importance and implications in public health

Abstract

SummaryA cross-sectional study was performed between school term dates 2014 and 2015 to diagnose intestinal parasites in dogs and children living with them. The socioenvironmental characteristics and hygiene practices of the children were also evaluated in terms of risk factors for parasitic infection of periurban neighbourhoods of La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Serial coproparasitological samples of 78 dogs and 211 children were analysed by means of concentration and flotation techniques.Socio-environmental variables and hygiene practices of children were evaluated through semi-structured questionnaires which were answered by every family. The study showed that 82.1% of dogs were parasitized. The specific richness was of 11 species; Ancylostoma caninum (69.2%), Uncinaria stenocephala (41.0%), Trichuris vulpis (28.2%) and Toxocara canis (21.8%) were the most prevalent. The study also revealed that 67.8% of children were positive. Also, 11 species were identified and the most prevalent were Blastocystis sp. (36.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (27.5%) and Giardia lamblia (21.3%). The risk for parasitosis was higher in 6-year-old children and older (OR = 1.9, 95% IC: 1.0-3.7) and in those who did not wash their hands or did it occasionally after playing with their pets (OR = 2.8, 95% IC: 1.4-5.5). Blastocystis sp. and Entamoeba coli infection risks were greater in children whose parents had a basic level of education (OR = 3.4, 95% IC: 1.3-8.7 and OR = 3.6, 95% IC: 0.8-15.9, respectively).In addition, the risk of infection for E. coli was higher in children who lived in floodable houses (OR = 4.4, 95% IC: 0.9-16.6). Likewise, the risk of infection for E. vermicularis was greater in children with onychophagia (OR = 1.6, 95% IC: 0.7-3.7) and in 6 year olds and older whose parents completed only primary studies (OR = 3.6, 95% IC: 1.4-9.1). The results obtained show the existence of a worrying epidemiological scenario that stresses the importance of zoonotic parasitosis as a serious problem of public health. K E Y W O R D SArgentina, children, dogs, intestinal parasites, risk factors, zoonosis

Epidemiological survey on intestinal helminths of stray dogs in Guimarães, Portugal

“…According to similar results in different studies, the most prevalent species observed were A. caninum , and T. canis , widely known as potential zoonotic agents (Emamapour et al 2015 ; Cociancic et al 2018 ; Suganya et al 2019 ). A. caninum is the primary hookworms’ specie infecting dogs worldwide (Traversa et al 2014 ).…”

“…Moreover, animal shelters facilitate spread of gastrointestinal parasites to incoming animals and shelter staff if there is overcrowding and frequent exposure to a contaminated environment (Raza et al 2018). According to similar results in different studies, the most prevalent species observed were A. caninum, and T. canis, widely known as potential zoonotic agents (Emamapour et al 2015;Cociancic et al 2018;Suganya et al 2019). A. caninum is the primary hookworms' specie infecting dogs worldwide (Traversa et al 2014).…”

“…Zoonotic parasitosis is a serious public health problem and parasitism in stray and shelter dogs is a relevant indicator of, both, the deficiencies in the sanitary and ecological conditions of their hosts, of the socio-environmental conditions and hygiene practices of the population (Cociancic et al 2018 ). In order to reduce environmental contamination and parasitism in the shelter, the implementation of sanitation measures is mandatory, such as quarantine of new stray dogs collected or more regular faecal examination, and the appropriate use, particularly in terms of dose and frequency, of deworming agents, according to the animal’s weight and the shelter parasitic load (Raza et al 2018 ).…”

Intestinal parasitosis, undernutrition and socio-environmental factors in schoolchildren from Clorinda Formosa, Argentina

“…These characteristics provided information about indoor and outdoor housing conditions. Moreover, parents' educational level, employment, governmental food and monetary support, hygiene and cultural practices were considered, among others (15)(16)(17).…”

Toxocariasis in Two Ecosystems in Argentina

“…There might be an ecosystem in balance; diseases do not represent a danger but a factor of "natural selection". Human activities and alterations of the environment have created new dynamics and new patterns for infectious diseases that favour the spread of pathogens, both geographical and between species [36].…”