Advances in Environmental Biology Farzad Parsa,

Advances in Environmental Biology, 8(23) Special 2014, Pages: 27-29
AENSI Journals
Advances in Environmental Biology
ISSN-1995-0756
EISSN-1998-1066
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Study of intestinal parasite of stray dog in Lorestan province of Iran
1Farzad
Parsa, 2Hossein Vosoghi and 3Mohsen Razani
1
Deparment of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Para-Medicine, Broujerd Branch,Islamic Azad University, Broujerd, Iran.
Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of veterinary medicine, Broujerd Branch,Islamic Azad University, Broujerd, Iran.
3
Deparment of nursing, Faculty of Para-Medicine, Broujerd Branch,Islamic Azad University, Broujerd, Iran.
2
ARTICLE INFO
Article history:
Received 11 June 2014
Received in revised form 21 August
2014
Accepted 25 September 2014
Available online 25 November 2014
Keywords:
dog, Intestinal parasite, Iran
ABSTRACT
Introduction: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of
intestinal nematode parasites of dogs in one year [2012 - 2013]in Lorestan province of
Iran. Methods: Totally, 80 stray dogs were obtained from four different parts of Lorestan
province. Helminths were collected from intestinal contents obtained at the time necropsy.
Results: 68 dogs [85%] had at least one helminthic parasite species, Echinococcus
granulosus [27.5%], Taenia hydatigena [35%], Taenia multiceps [25%], Dipylidium spp.
[47.5%], Joyeuxiella spp. [5%], Ancylostoma caninum [2.5%], Toxocara canis [10%],
Toxascaris leonine [17.7%], Rictularia spp. [2.5%], Oncicula spp. [2.5%]. Conclusion:
The high prevalence of parasitic infection and presence of zoonotic species especially E.
granulosus and T. canis emphasizes the risk of diseases spread in urban areas by stray
dogs.
© 2014 AENSI Publisher All rights reserved.
To Cite This Article: Farzad Parsa, Hossein Vosoghi and Mohsen Razani., Study of intestinal parasite of stray dog in Lorestan province of
Iran. Adv. Environ. Biol., 8(23), 27-29, 2014
INTRODUCTION
Although stray dogs are usually rejected due to religious beliefs, hygienic factors, and their biting nature,
they are still common animals in urban and rural areas in all regions of Iran [1]. Considering the close
association of dogs and human beings and the increasing trend of pet rearing, it is really important for dog
owners to know about the status of zoonotic helminthes of stray dogs in Lorestan, Iran. In fact, some of dogs’
parasites are zoonotic agents and thus important in public health, e.g., Echinococcus granulosus, Toxocara canis,
and Giardia intestinalis [2]. Another parasite known as Neospora caninum has been recognized as a major cause
of infectious abortion found in dairy cattle all over the world[3,4]. According to studies of livestock animals in
many parts of Iran, hydatidcyst is one of the highly prevalent diseases in Iran[5]. Indeed, this study was carried
out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in dogs to assess the awareness of canine
helminth zoonoses in stray dogs.
Methodology:
This cross section study was carried out in one year [2012 - 2013] in four cities [Khorram Abad, Borujerd,
Dorood, and Poldokhtar] located in Lorestan province in the west of Iran. 80 stray dogs were gathered from
these four cities [26 dogs from Khorram Abad, 24 dogs from Borujerd, 20 dogs from Poldokhtar, and 10 dogs
from Dorood]. The animals collected were either killed in accidents or shot dead by the police. During the
course of this study, the small intestine of these 80 dogs were removed and then transferred to a laboratory.
Consequently, the intestinal contents and epithelia were scraped and separated through 60 and 80 mesh wire
sieves. Large nematodes were removed and preserved in 10% Formalin and cestodes were fixed and stained
with carmine for further studies. Small worms were then detected by loops and transferred to lactophenol plus
azocarmin for clearing and staining. Drawing was made by Lucida camera.
Results:
Five species of cestodes and four species of nematodes were finally isolated from a total number of 80
dogs., 68 dogs [85%] had at least one helminthic parasite species. As shown in table 1, 22 dogs were infected
with Echinococcus granulosus [27.5%], 28 dogs with Taenia hydatigena [35%], 20 dogs with Taenia multiceps
[25%], 38 dogs with Dipylidium spp. [47.5%], 4 dogs with Joyeuxiella spp. [5%], 2 dog with Ancylostoma
Corresponding Author: Farzad Parsa, Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Para-Medicine, Broujerd Branch,
Islamic Azad University, Broujerd, Iran.
Tel: +98-662-3500201; Fax: +98-662- 3518013; E-mail: [email protected]
28
Farzad Parsa et al, 2014
Advances in Environmental Biology, 8(23) Special 2014, Pages: 27-29
caninum [2.5%], 8 dogs with Toxocara canis [10%], 14 dogs with Toxascaris leonine [17.7%], 1 dog with
Rictularia spp. [2.5%], and 1 dog with Oncicula spp. [2.5%].
Table 1: Helminth parasites isolated from 80 stray dogs in Lorestan province of Iran.
parasite
Echinococcus granulosus
Taenia hydatigena
Taenia multiceps
Dipylidium spp.
Joyeuxiella spp.
Ancylostoma caninum
Toxocara canis
Toxascaris leonine
Rictularia spp.
Oncicula spp.
Khoram-abad
number
10
8
4
14
2
2
percent
46
29
20
37
-
-
-
25
14
Broujerd
Dorod
number
6
8
10
14
4
4
4
percent
27
29
50
37
100
-
-
1
100
50
29
Poldokhtar
number
2
6
4
percent
9
21
-
-
2
14
-
-
10
number
4
6
6
6
2
2
6
1
-
percent
18
21
30
16
0/2
25
43
100
-
Rate of infection
total
number percent
22
27.5
28
35
20
25
38
47.5
4
5
2
2.5
8
10
14
17.5
1
2.5
1
2.5
In this study 30 male and 50 female dogs were examined. No significant difference was found in terms of
prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes in both male and female dogs.
Conclusion:
Indeed, the number of stray dogs is really high in most parts of Iran and there are no comprehensive plans
to control them. These dogs freely loiter in villages and towns. Agricultural farms and parks are their major
passages which easily get contaminated by their stool. Lorestan is one of the major poles in animal husbandry.
In fact, animal husbandry in this area as well as most parts of Iran is traditional resulting in a high possibility of
contact with dogs’ excreta. According to the studies conducted in Iran, unsanitary environment of
slaughterhouses and also animal slaughter outside the slaughterhouses, make cestodes larvae taeniidae’s family
especially Echinococcus available for dogs.
Due to the importance of echinococcus in predisposing hydatidosis in both humans and animals, this
parasite is the most important indicator of canine infection. For this reason, a large number of studies have been
conducted in different parts of Iran.
In a study in Northern Zagros with mountainous cold weather, stray dogs contaminated with taenia
hydatigena and Echinococcus infection, have been reported 53% and 13.25% respectively [1].
In another study in Ilam with mountainous semi-warm weather, stray dogs’ contamination with taenia ovis
and Echinococcus infection have been reported 38% and 9% respectively.
In a study in Semnan with semi-desert weather in the center of Iran, contaminated dogs with Echinococcus
have been reported 64%[6].
In Northeast regions with similar weather to central areas, dogs infected with Echinococcus have been
reported 18% [7]. These studies as well as the present study indicate that Echinococcus infection is still an
important health problem in many parts of Iran. On the other hand, it is expected that dogs’ infections in
temperate and mountainous regions be more than in arid ones, however, studies suggest the contrary outcome as
far as zoonostic parasites are concerned. As for non-zoonotic infections, temperate regions have more
contaminations. Another important zoonostic infection in Iran is toxocara canis. This parasite is the agent of
migrant larvae disease[8]. All studies indicate that the number of dogs infected with this parasite has been lower
than those infected with cestodes. In an investigation of the studies conducted in Iran in 2012, the ratio of dogs,
cats infected with toxocara canis was reported 26.8% and 15.8% respectively [9]. In this investigation, only one
case of Richtolaria was observed. In fact, in most studies conducted in Iran, a few cases of this parasite have
been recorded. For example, in a study conducted in Moghan desert in the Northwest of Iran, this parasite has
been reported in dogs and with greater intensity in foxes [10]. The comparative study of different species of this
parasite with the present species indicated that this parasite could turn out to be a new species which needs
further investigation.
In this study, Oncicola was observed in dogs only in one case, yet, for the first time. The only reported case
of Oncicola canis in Iran has been related to jackal so far[11].
Considering the above mentioned issues, it seems that the dogs’ contamination in Iran is a drastic health
problem that requires a great deal of attention.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The current study was supported by Broujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Broujerd, Iran. We are
grateful of all staff of Broujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University who helped us in this study.
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Advances in Environmental Biology, 8(23) Special 2014, Pages: 27-29
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