Polyparasitism and zoonotic parasites in dogs from a rural area of the Argentine Chaco

MACCHIAVERNA, N.P.; FARBER, M.; GARBOSSA, G.; ARGIBAY, H.D.; GÜRTLER, R.E.; ARGIBAY, H.D.; GÜRTLER, R.E.; ENRIQUEZ, G.F.; LÓPEZ ARIAS, L.; CARDINAL, M.V.; ENRIQUEZ, G.F.; LÓPEZ ARIAS, L.; CARDINAL, M.V.; MACCHIAVERNA, N.P.; FARBER, M.; GARBOSSA, G.

Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports

Elsevier B.V.

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2019 vol. 16

Dogs play an important role as reservoirs and hosts of multiple pathogens shared with humans and wildlife,which contribute significantly to the global burden of disease. Here, we assessed the occurrence of a broad rangeof zoonotic and non-zoonotic parasites in dogs from a rural area in the humid Chaco; determined the occurrenceof polyparasitism; and explored its association with selected risk factors. In total, 212 dogs were examinedserologically to determine Trypanosoma cruzi infection and 152 of them also were examined for Ehrlichia canis,Borrelia bugderfori, Anaplasma phagocitophylum, Dirofilaria immitis and Toxoplasma gondii. Fecal samples from 85dogs were examined for intestinal parasites. Seventeen parasite species were seen, 77% of which are zoonotic.The most prevalent parasites were Ancylostoma caninum (68.2%), T. gondii (55.3%, first report for dogs inArgentina), Giardia sp. (25.9%), Cryptosporidium sp. (20.0%), T. cruzi (16.5%), trematodes (15.3%) and Toxocaracanis (14.1%). Polyparasitism was found in 96% of the dogs, with up to six parasite species in a single dog, andwas significantly associated with age of dog but not with host body condition or sex. The most frequent pair ofparasites found together were T. gondii-A. caninum (46%), A. caninum-T. cruzi (34%) and T. gondii-T. cruzi (27%).The prevalence of anemia and leukocytosis was significantly higher in dogs showing the worst body condition.Our findings likely reflect structural poverty, poor sanitation and lack of a safe water supply. Importantly, manyof the prevalent parasites seen are threats to human health.