Hair Contamination of Sheepdog and Pet Dogs with Toxocara canis Eggs
-
M. Tavassoli
,
S. Javadi
,
R. Firozi
,
F. Rezaei
,
AR. Khezri
,
M. Hadian
Abstract
Background: We tried to investigate the hair contamination of pet dogs and farm sheepdog with Toxocara eggs in terms of the different sex and age groups in north-west of Iran (Urmia and its sub- urbs).
Methods: Hair samples were collected from a total of 138 pet and farm sheepdogs from November 2008 to June 2009 in Urmia City and the suburb (West Azerbaijan-Iran) and examined for the pres- ence of T. canis eggs.
Results: T. canis eggs found in 60 samples altogether (pet and shepherd dogs) showed a contamina- tion rate of 36.2%. The number of observed T. canis eggs in each microscope field was varied from 1 to > 400. The age of the dog was found a significant factor to influence the prevalence and intensity of contamination, with 82% of all the eggs recovered from puppies (six months and younger). Addi- tionally, the numbers of eggs in farm sheepdogs were significantly higher than pet dogs (P<0.05). Conclusions: This report shows that direct contact with T. canis infected dogs, particularly puppies from shepherd dogs, may pose a serious hazard to human. Besides, as they may harbor a considera- ble number of eggs on their hair, they can contaminate the soil and the environment.
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| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 7 No 4 (2012) | |
| Section | Short Communication(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Toxocara canis Dog Public Health Zoonoses | ||
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