Prevalence of helminths of importance for human health in stray dogs in Lusaka Zambia

Abstract

Stray dogs destined for euthanasia were collected from January 2010 through December 2010 to determine the presence of zoonotic gastrointestinal (GI) helminths in Lusaka district. A total of 33 stray dogs (male=18, female=15) were collected, euthanized and necropsy information obtained via helminthological approach. About 100% (33/33) were infected with one or more helminth parasites. Multiple infections involving nematodes and cestodes were the most prevalent (63.6%) followed by nematodes only (33.3%) with cestodes only being the least prevalent (3.0%). The most prevalent GI helminth parasite was Ancylostoma caninum (93.9%) with the least prevalent being Toxocara canis (6.1%). No positive case of Trichinella spiralis was reported from direct trichinoscopy examination of striated muscles. The mean count per dog of A. caninum was 44.45 (SD ±58.0) with a range of 0 to 223. The presence of three important zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths (A. caninum, T. canis and Dipylidium caninum) reported in this study underscores the importance of controlling helminthosis in stray dogs and stresses the need to establish a national control programme for parasitic diseases in this dog population. This can be achieved through the vigorous implementation of the laws governing control of stray dogs and regular deworming of owned dogs. Controlling zoonotic helminths in dogs will ensure a minimal public health risk from the dog population in Zambia since they act as a source of infection to other dogs as well as humans