Canine intestinal parasites as a potential source of soil contamination in the public areas of Kruševac, Serbia

Abstract

Introduction: Environmental contamination by infected canine faeces presents an indirect source of contamination in people. In this research the presence of parasitic elements in canine faeces found in the public areas of Kruševac was examined.
 Methodology: During May and October 2018, 282 samples were collected from different public areas (ten kindergartens, six public squares and four parks). The examination of faeces was performed by means of direct smear and flotation. For statistical testing of the difference between the frequencies of attributes χ2 test was applied.
 Results: Out of 282 samples, 221 (78.4%) were positive, of which 17/20 (85.0%) from kindergartens, 125/160 (78.1%) from parks and 79/102 (77.5%) from public squares. The presence of Ancylostomatidae spp. was discovered in 113 (40.1%) samples, Toxocara canis in 82 (29.1%), Dipylidium caninum in 76 (27.0%), Giardia intestinalis in 45 (16.0%), Taenia spp. in 44 (15.6%), Amoeba spp. in 32 (11.3%), Trichuris vulpis in 19 (6.7%), Toxascaris leonina in 18 (6.4%), Strongyloides stercoralis in 17 (6.0%), Isospora spp. in 7 (2.5%) and Cryptosporidium spp. in 3 (1.1%). In May there were 115/141 (81.6%) positive samples, whereas in October there were 106/141 (72.5%) positive ones. No positive sample with three or four parasites was found in October.
 Conclusions: This study shows that canine faeces from public areas in Kruševac can be the cause of a significant environmental contamination by eggs of canine intestinal parasites as well as of human infections.

Dipylidium caninum in the twenty-first century: epidemiological studies and reported cases in companion animals and humans

“…In humans, contact with domestic or stray animals, frequent playing on the street or in playgrounds (especially children), immunosuppressive conditions and signs indicative of poor hygiene can also support the diagnosis [ 21 , 59 , 62 – 65 , 122 ].…”

“…The detection of D. caninum in children's playgrounds emphasises the need for greater protection of these places against the entry of animals, as well as the importance of removing animal excrements from public areas and thus preventing soil contamination [ 26 , 58 , 85 , 122 , 135 ]. Children should be advised to avoid touching or playing with stray animals as they are usually poorly protected against parasites [ 21 , 85 , 88 ].…”

Zoonotic Parasites in Playgrounds in Southern Spain: A One Health Approach

“…Research into zoonotic parasitic diseases requires a One Health approach, as they are associated with livestock and domestic pets, and their human-to-animal transmission is becoming an emerging public health issue [ 1 ]. Animals infected by zoonotic parasites can transmit them through faeces and contaminate the environment [ 13 , 20 ]. Direct or indirect contact with infective parasitic stages from faecal contamination results in human infection, representing a public health hazard [ 13 , 20 ].…”

“…Animals infected by zoonotic parasites can transmit them through faeces and contaminate the environment [ 13 , 20 ]. Direct or indirect contact with infective parasitic stages from faecal contamination results in human infection, representing a public health hazard [ 13 , 20 ].…”

“…Infection not only causes damage to their organs, but also poses a risk of infection to humans with whom they coexist [ 11 , 12 ]. Playgrounds are leisure environments, where adults and children share the environment closely with dogs of different origins, leaving these areas exposed to human and animal bacteria and virus, as well as intestinal parasites, through soil contamination by faeces from pets and stray dogs [ 13 , 14 ]. In particular, faeces from infected animals contain parasites that could contaminate the environment, acting as a source of infection for people using the parks, especially children, as well as other pets [ 11 ].…”