Prevalence of Intestinal Parasite Infections in Stray Dogs in Taif Region, KSA

Abstract

Background: The study of intestinal parasites that occur in stray dogs in the Taif region, KSA, is most important since there is little data available on this subject. Methods: Dog fecal samples were collected from 129 dogs in three different areas. Fecal samples were processed and analyzed by different mount techniques including, parasitological examination, wet-mount preparation and modified Kinyoun’s acid-fast technique. Result: The total prevalence of enteric parasites was 115 positive cases; for helminths was (62.7%) and for protozoa (26.3%). Mixed infection was higher than single infection in three areas. The total prevalence of helminths eggs by different mount preparation recovered from fecal sample examination from single or mixed form E. granulosus, T. canis and T. vulpis was of high infection rate (15.5%), (10.07%), (10.07%), followed by A. lumbercoides (7.7 %). Finally, T. leonine (6.9%), both A. caninum and A. braziliense are of the same percentage (6.2%). Concerning single and mixed protozoa infection, Giardia was of a high prevalence (16.2%), followed by Cryptosporidium (8.5%) and finally E. histolytica (1.5%) in fecal samples of doges. These data revealed that infection levels of parasites in stray dogs in the studied areas were high, knowing that this is the first study for mixed infections between dogs and humans in KSA.

Prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus (Cestoda: Taeniidae) Infection in Stray Dogs and Local Herbivores in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

“…The infection rates and intensity were higher in the older age groups Varcasia et al (2007),Hayajneh et al (2014). andAlmalki (2021) reported a positive correlation between infection intensity and host-age group and the age-dependent increase in infection rate among investigated animals.…”

“…The prevalence of E. granulosus in dogs, as well as its metacestode in herbivores, varies greatly over the world (Matossian et al, 1977). Studies from several parts of Saudi Arabia have established that E. granulosus and Hydatid worms are prevalent there (El-Metenawy, 1999;Hayajneh et al, 2014;Almalki, 2021). Almalki (2021) indicated that the frequency of E. granulosus in the feces of stray dogs from the city of the Taif region was 15.5%.…”

“…Studies from several parts of Saudi Arabia have established that E. granulosus and Hydatid worms are prevalent there (El-Metenawy, 1999;Hayajneh et al, 2014;Almalki, 2021). Almalki (2021) indicated that the frequency of E. granulosus in the feces of stray dogs from the city of the Taif region was 15.5%. This might be owing to wild dogs having unrestricted access to potentially harmful materials, as well as the fact that dogs are extensively parasitized animals due to a lack of anthelmintic therapy.…”