High prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. infection in dogs, associated with endemic focus of human cutaneous larva migrans, in Tacuarembo, Uruguay

Abstract

A helminthological survey of the intestinal parasites in stray dogs was conducted in urban and suburban area of Tacuarembó, Uruguay, during winter time. Eighty stray dogs captured in the city were necropsied. Seventy nine dogs (98.8 %) were positive for helminth infection. Seventy seven (96.3 %) were parasitized by hookworms. Two species of hookworms were found: Ancylostoma caninum 96.3 % and A. braziliense 49.4 %. This is the first report of the prevalence of A. braziliense in Uruguay. Considering that incidences of human cutaneous larva migrans caused by the migration of hookworms larvae were restricted mainly to the northen part of Uruguay and that only A. caninum were reported to be prevalent in the southen part, it is supposed that A. braziliense is the primary causative agent of human cutaneous larva migrans in Uruguay.