Echinococcosis and other parasitic infections in domestic dogs from urban areas of an Argentinean Patagonian city.

In urban populations of South America, dogs with free access to public areas represent a public health concern. The primary consequence of roaming dogs on human health is the transmission of infectious and parasitic diseases mainly through feces contamination. The main diseases likely to be transmitted are hydatidosis or echinococcosis, larva migrans, and giardiasis. In Argentina, hydatidosis ranks among the most prevalent zoonosis. Although it is considered a rural disease, the circulation of this parasite in urban areas has been documented. The aim of this work was to survey intestinal parasites in canine feces from two low-income urban neighborhoods of Bariloche city, Argentina, and to assess their seasonal variation. During 2016, 188 fresh dog feces were collected from sidewalks in 40 randomly selected blocks from the neighborhoods. Each sample was processed by Sheater flotation and tested for a coproantigen (CAg) by ELISA. The percentage of parasitized feces was 65.3% (95% CI: 55.9%-73.8%). Eleven parasite species were found, 3 protozoan, 3 cestodes, and 5 nematodes. Echinococcus sp. was present in 9.3% of the samples (95% CI: 4.7%-16.1%). Canine echinococcosis rates resulted similar to rates found previously in other neighborhoods of the city. The life cycle of Echinococcus sp. is sustained in urban areas by the entry of parasitized livestock, domiciliary slaughtering, and inadequate deposition of offal. The risk of Echinococcus sp. transmission to people in these neighborhoods is very high, due to high density of free-roaming dogs and high percentages of infected feces, similar to percentages observed in rural areas.

Echinococcosis and other parasitic infections in domestic dogs from urban areas of an argentinean Patagonian city

In urban populations of South America, dogs with free access to public areas represent a public health concern. The primary consequence of roaming dogs on human health is the transmission of infectious and parasitic diseases mainly through feces contamination. The main diseases likely to be transmitted are hydatidosis or echinococcosis, larva migrans, and giardiasis. In Argentina, hydatidosis ranks among the most prevalent zoonosis. Although it is considered a rural disease, the circulation of this parasite in urban areas has been documented. The aim of this work was to survey intestinal parasites in canine feces from two low-income urban neighborhoods of Bariloche city, Argentina, and to assess their seasonal variation. During 2016, 188 fresh dog feces were collected from sidewalks in 40 randomly selected blocks from the neighborhoods. Each sample was processed by Sheater flotation and tested for a coproantigen (CAg) by ELISA. The percentage of parasitized feces was 65.3% (95% CI: 55.9%-73.8%). Eleven parasite species were found, 3 protozoan, 3 cestodes, and 5 nematodes. Echinococcus sp. was present in 9.3% of the samples (95% CI: 4.7%-16.1%). Canine echinococcosis rates resulted similar to rates found previously in other neighborhoods of the city. The life cycle of Echinococcus sp. is sustained in urban areas by the entry of parasitized livestock, domiciliary slaughtering, and inadequate deposition of offal. The risk of Echinococcus sp. transmission to people in these neighborhoods is very high, due to high density of free-roaming dogs and high percentages of infected feces, similar to percentages observed in rural areas.

En las poblaciones urbanas de América del Sur, los perros con acceso libre a áreas públicas representan un problema de salud pública. La principal consecuencia es la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias a través de la contaminación por heces. Las principales enfermedades que pueden transmitirse son hidatidosis, larva migrans y giardiasis. En Argentina, la hidatidosis es una de las zoonosis más prevalentes y aunque es considerada una enfermedad rural, algunos estudios muestran la circulación de este parásito en zonas urbanas. El objetivo fue registrar los parásitos intestinales en heces caninas de dos barrios de bajos ingresos de la ciudad de Bariloche, Argentina, y evaluar su variación estacional. Durante 2016, se recolectaron 188 heces frescas de perros en 40 manzanas seleccionados aleatoriamente. Las heces se procesaron mediante flotación de Sheater y una prueba ELISA de coproantigeno (CAg). El porcentaje de heces parasitadas fue del 65.3% (IC 95%: 55.9%-73.8%). Se encontraron 11 especies de parásitos, 3 protozoos, 3 cestodes y 5 nematodes. Echinococcus sp. estuvo presente en el 9.3% de las heces (IC 95%: 4.7% -16.1%). La equinococosis canina mostró valores similares a estudios previos en otros barrios de la ciudad. El ciclo de vida Echinococcus sp. se mantiene en las zonas urbanas por entrada de ganado parasitado, faena domiciliaria y deposición inadecuada de vísceras. El riesgo de transmisión de Echinococcus sp. en estos barrios es alto, debido a la alta densidad de perros sueltos y al alto porcentaje de heces infectadas, similar al de las zonas rurales.

Tenencia responsable de perros y salud humana en barrios de San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina / Responsible ownership of dogs and human health in neighborhoods of San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina

La relación entre el hombre y el perro se asocia a numerosos y variados beneficios sobre la salud humana; sin embargo también presenta importantes riesgos. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir parámetros demográficos y características de la tenencia de perros con implicancias sobre la salud humana y evaluar la prevalencia de mordeduras y accidentes de tránsito causados por perros. Se realizó una encuesta en los barrios Nuestras Malvinas y Nahuel Hue de San Carlos de Bariloche. Se estimó el porcentaje de viviendas con al menos un perro, la media de perros por vivienda, la prevalencia de mordeduras de perro y de accidentes de tránsito causados por perros y el conocimiento de la población sobre zoonosis transmitidas por perros. Respecto de la tenencia, se evaluó el grado de esterilización, vacunación y desparasitación y el porcentaje de perros con libre acceso a la calle. Se realizaron 141 entrevistas. En 87% de las viviendas había al menos un perro (promedio 2.2 perros/vivienda). En 26% de las viviendas alguien había sufrido un accidente de tránsito causado por perros y en 41% alguien había sido mordido. El 83% de los perros fueron desparasitados en los últimos 12 meses, en promedio 1.4 veces (óptimo: 6 veces/año), 51% estaban esterilizados, 55% tenían libre acceso a la calle. Este estudio muestra una situación preocupante respecto de la población canina de los barrios evaluados. El número de perros sueltos en la calle y el bajo nivel de desparasitación y esterilización proveen condiciones ideales para que se propaguen zoonosis.

Human relationship with dogs associates with numerous and varied benefits on human health; however, it also presents significant risks. The goal of this study was to describe demographic parameters and characteristics of dog ownership with possible implications on human health and to evaluate the prevalence of dog bites and traffic accidents due to dogs. Interviews were conducted in the neighborhoods of Nuestras Malvinas and Nahuel Hue in San Carlos de Bariloche. The percentage of homes with at least one dog, the average number of dogs per home, the prevalence of dog bites and traffic accidents due to dogs and the general awareness of the population on dog transmitted zoonoses were estimated. Regarding ownership characteristics, the degree of sterilization, vaccination and parasite control and the percentage of dogs allowed to roam freely in public places were evaluated. A total of 141 interviews were conducted; 87% of the households had at least one dog, with an average of 2.2 dogs. In 26% of the households someone had suffered a traffic accident caused by dogs and in 41% someone had been bitten. Antiparasite treatment was administered to 83% of the dogs in the last 12 months, on average 1.4 times (recommended 6 times), 51% were sterilized, 55% were allowed to roam freely. This study shows a disturbing situation regarding the canine population of the evaluated neighborhoods. The number of dogs allowed to roam freely and the low level of parasite control and sterilization provide suitable conditions for the spread of zoonoses.