RESUMO
Zoonotic parasitic diseases are considered a global threat to public health. In this sense, canines and felines may be infected by different cosmopolitan parasites, with playgrounds serving as an important focus of infection for humans, as well as domestic or wild animals. Knowledge of the epidemiological situation of parasites in animal reservoirs integrated into the environment, identifying the spread pathways, is a key element for an effective response to this threat. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the frequency of intestinal parasites with zoonotic potential in 120 playgrounds in the Malaga province (Spain). Samples were processed and analysed following standard parasitological procedures. Some 36.7% of playgrounds were parasite-positive with one or more zoonotic parasites. The most common parasites recovered were nematodes (60.0%), followed by protozoan species (33.3%) and cestodes (6.7%). In the parasite-positive playgrounds, Toxocara spp. (17.0 ± 3.5%) and Giardia duodenalis (17.0 ± 3.4%) were the most predominant parasites. In addition, 34.1% of playgrounds were infected with multiple parasites. Our results show a high presence of parasitic forms with zoonotic potential in playgrounds in Malaga, Spain. Due to the close contact between pets and humans in playgrounds, the potential zoonotic risk may increase if prevention and control measures are not designed.
RESUMO
Antecedentes: la leishmaniosis es una zoonosis vectorial que en humanos inmunodeprimidos presenta forma sistémica, estando la forma cutánea infradiagnosticada. El tratamiento para el portador tiene un elevado coste. Propietarios y centros de adopciones carecen de recursos, pero no tratar o prevenir implica tener a un portador de una zoonosis disponible para el vector. Por ello existe una tendencia a la sustitución por la presentación de humana por los agentes implicados, adelantándose a los responsables en materia de salud pública. Objetivos: conocer la incidencia de animales portadores, la proporción de medicamentos prescritos por los veterinarios, las tendencias de búsqueda en internet de medicamentos para prevención y el tratamiento. Metodología: análisis serológico por técnica de inmunoensayo de 255 perros, aplicación de precios de mercado a los resultados, encuesta sobre la prescripción de veterinarios clínicos y análisis de tendencias de búsqueda de información en internet entre usuarios. Resultados: 38 perros resultaron ser portadores inaparentes (infectados, pero no enfermos) y 28 portadores enfermos. El resto son no portadores. Se obtuvo una diferencia de precio de más del 50 % en el tratamiento entre medicamentos de humana o genéricos y el de veterinaria. En la prevención la diferencia es 11 veces el precio veterinario frente al de humana. Los veterinarios prescriben correctamente, pero informan de otras opciones más baratas y la tendencia de búsqueda en internet está orientada al precio y a la sustitución. Conclusión: el precio es la principal causa de sustitución del medicamento prescrito y la legislación no está atendiendo la relevancia de esta zoonosis. Las autoridades sanitarias han de valorar las necesidades reales en materia de salud pública
Background: Leishmaniasis is a vectorial zoonosis with systemic presentation in immunosuppressed humans, the cutaneous form is underdiagnosed. A lot of owners and Rescue kennels can not pay the treatment because it is very expensive, but not treating or not preventing is dangerous for Public Health. Therefore, there is a tendency to replace the veterinary drug by the human drug form, ahead of those responsible for Public Health. Objectives: To know the disease carrier animals, the prescription tendencies of the veterinarians, the tendencies of search in Internet of drugs for prevention and treatment. Methods: Blood test of 255 animals, application of market prices to the results, survey on the prescription of clinical veterinarians and analysis of Internet search trends among users. Results: 38 dogs were founded inapparent carriers (infected, but not ill) and 28 sick carriers. The rest were non-carriers. A price difference of more than 50 % was obtained in the treatment between human or generic drugs and that of veterinary medicine. About the prevention, the difference is 11 times the veterinary price compared to that of humans. Veterinarians prescribe correctly but report other cheaper options and the search trend on the internet is price and replacement oriented. Conclusion: The price is the main cause of substitution and the legislation is not agree the relevance of this zoonosis. The health authorities must assess the real needs in terms of Public Health