Risk factors associated with dog endoparasites infection spread in East Slovak Lowland

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of endoparasites in dog feces from public places, investigate the occurrence of endoparasites in soil, and identify potential risk factors associated with the dog endoparasites infection spread in East Slovak Lowland - the region near the EU border with Ukraine. In a one-year study, a total of 803 dog fecal samples and 148 soil samples from public places were examined for the presence of endoparasite developmental stages. In general, 43.59 % of dog excrements were positive. Six different species of intestinal parasites were detected: Toxocara canis (22.65 %), Trichuris vulpis (14.07 %), family Ancylostomatidae (10.09 %), Capillaria aerophilla (5.60 %), Ascaris spp. (1.49 %). Altogether, 52.03 % of soil samples were positive for at least one endoparasites species. The occurrence of parasitic eggs in the soil was as follows: Ascaris spp. (37.16 %), Toxocara spp. (29.05 %), Trichuris spp. (29.05 %) %), family Ancylostomatidae (2.03 %) and Toxascaris leonina (2.03 %). The occurrence of endoparasites between the towns and villages varied significantly. The distribution of endoparasites in dogs and soil was affected by the population density, the minority people living in the studied territory, the number of people living in poor hygienic conditions with limited access to drinking water and the usage of sewerage. Persisting endoparasitic contamination of the environment in East Slovak Lowland forms a reservoir with zoonotic potential representing public and environmental health problems.