Prevalence of intestinal helminths in dogs and owners: Awareness of zoonotic diseases in a rural community in southwest Nigeria
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: The overwhelming impact of zoonotic infections and its ease of transmission own to the cohabitation of man and some domestic pets is well recognizable, and though it is most often neglected its deleterious effect permeate every sphere of public health concern. Dog as the closest domestic pet to man presents a potential risk and acts as an agent of such interspecies transmission of infections to him. This study examined excrement of 97 dogs using the Formol- ether concentration technique. Four parasites species were identified with overall prevalence of 68%. Toxocaracanis was seen to be the most prevalent helminth (42.3%). Age (p= 0.002, ꭓ2 = 12.774) and mode of life (p= 0.021, ꭓ2 = 5.317) of the dogs were significant risk factors of helminthic infections, while gender and function of dogs were not. Dogs may play an active role in transmission of zoonotic diseases in the area, given the closeness of infected dogs with humans and the rampant excretion of helminth-infested dog excreta dispersed into the environment, hence, the need for the study.
Authors: Christopher Tope OMISAKIN, Akeem Abiodun AKINDELE, Ayodele Jacob ESAN, Adeleke Ajayi IBIJOLA, Oluwafemi Johnson ADEGBAMIGBE, Oluwatoba Felix OWOYOMI
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4289529284