Environmental Contamination by Dog Feces in Touristic Areas of Italy: Parasitological Aspects and Zoonotic Hazards

Abstract

Public spaces are common sites of fecal contamination which is concerning considering the prevalence rates of gastrointestinal pathogens carried by pets. Multiple pet-bound parasite species capable of infecting humans have previously been reported in fecal samples collected from urban areas around the globe, including Italy. In addition, the presence of gastrointestinal parasites has recently been shown in pets from the island of Sardinia, a well-known touristic destination. For these reasons, this study aims to evaluate the level of fecal contamination of two of the most important cities on Sardinia. Furthermore, the presence of endoparasites in fecal samples collected was also investigated to assess the parasitological risks associated with such contamination. A grid approach using a geographical information system was applied, followed by transect counting and sampling. A total of 956 and 220 dog feces with an average feces count of 4.7 and 2.6 per 100 linear meters were found for Sassari and Alghero, respectively. In Sassari 15.6% (52/333) and in Alghero 6.8% (6/88) of the samples tested positive for parasitic elements. Hookworms, Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara sp., and Trichuris vulpis were among the parasites most identified. This study showed significant urban contamination of both Sassari and Alghero with dog feces and the parasites within them, including potentially zoonotic species. The general public as well as tourists visiting the island should be aware of the risks associated with this and appropriate measures taken.

A survey on Apicomplexa protozoa in sheep slaughtered for human consumption

“…Likewise, the extensive sheep farming applied in Sardinia contributes to the contact risk of sheep with cat faeces and the consequent transmission of parasites such as S. gigantea and S. medusiformis. However, the cat's defecation behaviour, consisting of burying its faeces, leads to a lower spreading potential of oocysts and sporocysts, decreasing the risk of infection for sheep, possibly explaining the absence of Sarcocystis species transmitted by cats in the sheep examined (Tamponi et al 2020;El-Morsey et al 2021). On the other hand, for T. gondii, where cats also function as definitive hosts, a high prevalence was found, highlighting the possibility that vertical transmission could play an important role in the transmission of this protozoa in sheep (Minuzzi et al 2019).…”

Parasitological diagnosis of fecal samples from domestic dogs from the municipality of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Gastrointestinal parasites are common in dogs and can occur at high prevalence rates in several regions of Brazil and other countries (Funada et al, 2007;Torrico et al, 2008;Gennari et al, 2016;Tamponi et al, 2020;Sobotyk et al, 2021).…”

Zoonotic parasites associated with predation by dogs and cats

“…Moreover, free-roaming, feral, colonies or house cats with outdoor access, as well as dogs with the same outdoor lifestyle, may defecate in public spaces, increasing the likeability of human exposure [ 94 ]. Companion dogs and cats that are allowed to defecate in public places, where feces are not collected or disposed of properly, also represent an important source of environmental contamination [ 95 ]. To highlight the impact of dog and cat populations with outdoor lifestyle on the trophic transmission of zoonotic parasitic diseases, examples of the main groups of parasites are given below.…”