High Prevalence and Diversity of Zoonotic and Other Intestinal Parasites in Dogs from Eastern Spain.

Abstract

The diversity and frequency of enteric parasites in dog populations in the Castell&#xf3;n province (Eastern Spain) were assessed using a prospective cross-sectional epidemiological survey. A total of 263 canine fecal samples were collected between July 2014 and July 2016. Detection of intestinal parasites was conducted by routine coprological methods. In addition, identification ofandspp. was carried out by direct immunofluorescence microscopy, whereas the presence ofspp. was assessed by real-time PCR in a selected number of specimens. Based on conventional and/or immunofluorescence microscopy examination, 65.8% (95% confidence interval: 59.7-71.5) of the investigated dogs were found infected by at least one gastrointestinal parasite.(35.4%) and members of the family Ancylostomatidae (27.0%) were the most prevalent protozoan and helminth parasites found, respectively. Other pathogens potentially infective to humans included(8.0%),spp. (6.8%), andspp. (1.1%). Frequency of occurrence of helminthic, but not protozoan, enteroparasites was geographical origin dependent (&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.02), with dogs living in coastal areas presenting higher infection rates than those living in inland regions. Similarly, rural dogs were significantly more infected than urban dogs (&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Our results revealed that zoonotic agents were common in dogs from the Castell&#xf3;n province. Animals from rural areas and sheltered dogs were particularly at risk of these infections.