Enteroparásitos en heces caninas de la costanera pública de Viedma (Río Negro, Patagonia Argentina)

Abstract

Dog enteroparasites are an environmental health problem, considering some species are zoonotic and represent an important public health problem. Water, soil and pets play an important role in parasitic transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of fecal contamination and the presence of enteroparasites in dog feces collected on the public waterfront of the Negro river of Viedma city. Between April 2015 and March 2016 a random, systematic, multistage, and seasonal sampling was carried out along 3 kilometers, recording all the feces observed and collecting a total of 531 samples of dog stools. The coproparasitological diagnosis was done by duplicate using the modified Sheather flotation technique. Overall enteroparasite prevalence was 25,6% and the 79,41% of them present only one parasitic taxon. The parasites detected were Isospora canis (8,1%), Sarcocystis spp. (11,8%), Taenia spp. (0.7%), Toxocara canis (22,8%), Toxascaris leonina (2,9%), Trichuris vulpis (33,8%), Eucoleus bohemi (2,2%) and Ancylostomatidae (40,4%). For the first time, the presence of E. bohemi in canine feces in Patagonian Argentina is recorded. Sarcocystis spp., Taenia spp., T. canis, and Ancylostomidae eggs are recognized for their zoonotic importance. The presence of T. leonina and E. bohemi could indicate interaction between domestic and wild canids. The results obtained are important in order to deepen public health campaigns for awareness among the population in general and health agents and professionals in particular, to generate responsible pet ownership behavior.