Prevalence and public health significance of helminth ova in deposited dog feces in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

We conducted a prevalence study of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of dogs in Owerri area of Imo state, Nigeria between April and October 1999. Of the 284 fecal dog specimens examined, 200(70.4%) were infected with one or more helminth parasites of the infected specimens. Eight helminth parasites were recorded and include Ancyclostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Toxoscaris leonine, Strongyloides spp, Dipylidium caninum,Spirocerca lupi and Taeniid eggs. Ancyclostoma caninumhad the highest prevalence (32.7%), followed by Toxocara canis (27.8%) and Trichuris vulpis (21.1%) with Taeniid eggs as the least (2.8%). The proportion of infected dogs varied significantly among various study locations with Nwafor (60.0) and Umudagu (50.0) areas being higher than others (p< 0. 05). Of the 284 dogs examined, 150 and 134 were males and females respectively with 111 (74.0%) males and 89 (66.4%) females being infected. Although more males than females were infected, it was not significant (p> 0.01). The zoonotic implications of some of the helminth parasites recovered are discussed.

Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(1) 2006: 34-38