Effects of management of infection source of echinococcosis in Linzhi, Tibet Autonomous Region of China

Background Echinococcosis is highly endemic in western and northern China. Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is the most serious prevalent area. Linzhi is located in southeastern part of TAR. Dogs are the primary infection source for the transmission of echinococcosis to humans. A control and prevention campaign based on dog management has been implemented in the past three years. This study aims to evaluate the effects of dog management on the infection rate of dogs. Methods Data of dog population, registration and de-worming of seven counties/district in Linzhi between 2017 and 2019 were obtained from the annual prevention and control report. Domestic dog fecal samples were collected from each endemic town of seven counties/district in Linzhi in 2019 to determine the infection of domestic dogs using coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data analysis was processed using SPSS statistics to compare dog infection rate between 2016 and 2019 by chi-square test, and maps were mapped using ArcGIS. Results In Linzhi, domestic dog population has decreased from 17 407 in 2017 to 12 663 in 2019, while the registration rate has increased from 75.9% in 2017 to 98.6% in 2019. Similarly, stray dog population has decreased from 14 336 in 2017 to 11 837 in 2019, while sheltered rate has increased from 84.6% in 2017 to 96.6% in 2019. Dog de-worming frequency has increased from 4 times per annum in 2017 to 12 times in 2019, indicating that approximately every dog was dewormed monthly. A total of 2715 dog fecal samples were collected for coproantigen ELISA assay. The dog infection rate was 2.8% (77/2715) in 2019, which was significantly lower than 7.3% (45/618) in 2016 (P < 0.05). Conclusions Increased dog registration, decreased dog population, and increased dog de-worming frequency contributed to significantly decrease the dog infection rate in Linzhi. Control and prevention campaign based on dog management could significantly decrease dog infection with Echinococcus spp. in echinococcosis endemic areas.

Effects of management of infection source of echinococcosis in Linzhi, Tibet autonomous region of China

Background Echinococcosis is highly endemic in western and northern China, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is the most serious prevalent area. Linzhi is located in southeastern part of TAR. Dogs are the primary infection source for the transmission of echinococcosis to humans. A control and prevention campaign based on dog management has been implemented in the past three years. This study aims to evaluate the effects of dog management on the infection rate of dogs.Methods Data of dog population, registration and de-worming of seven counties/district in Linzhi between 2017 and 2019 were obtained from the annual prevention and control report. Domestic dog fecal samples were collected from each endemic town of seven counties/district in Linzhi in 2019 to determine the infection of domestic dogs using coproantigen ELISA. Data analysis was processed using SPSS statistics to compare dog infection rate between 2016 and 2019 by chi-square test, and maps were mapped using ArcGIS.Results In Linzhi, domestic dog population has decreased from 17407 in 2017 to 12663 in 2019, whilethe registration rate has increased from 75.9% in 2017 to 98.6% in 2019. Similarly, stray dog populationhas decreased from 14336 in 2017 to 11837 in 2019, while sheltered ratehas increased from 84.6% in 2017 to 96.6% in 2019.Dog de-worming frequency has increased from four times per annum in 2017 to 12 times in 2019, indicating that approximately every dog was dewormed monthly. A total number of 2715 dog fecal samples were collected for coproantigen ELISA assay. The dog infection rate was 2.8% (77/2715) in 2019, which was significantly lower than7.3% (45/618) in 2016 (P<0.05).Conclusions Increased dog registration, decreased dog population, and increased dog de-worming frequency contributed to significantly decreased the dog infection rate in Linzhi, TAR. Control and prevention campaign based on dog management could significantly decrease dog infection with Echinococcus spp. in echinococcosis endemic areas.

The effects of management of infection source of echinococcosis in Linzhi, Tibet autonomous region of China

Background Echinococcosis is highly endemic in western and northern China, Tibet Autonomous Region ( TAR) is the most serious prevalent area . Linzhi is located in southeastern part of TAR. Dogs are the main infection source for the transmission of echinococcosis to humans. A control and prevention campaign based on dog management has been conducted in the past three years. This study is to evaluate the effects of dog management on infection rate of dogs.Methods Data of dog population, registration and de-worming of seven counties/district in Linzhi were collected from the annual prevention and control report. Domestic dog fecal samples were collected from each endemic town of seven counties/district in Linzhi in 2019 to determine the infection of domestic dogs using coproantigen ELISA. Data analysis was processed using SPSS statistics to compare dog infection rate between 2016 and 2019 by chi-square test, and maps were mapped using ArcGIS.Results In Linzhi, domestic dog population has decreased from 17407 in 2017, 16512 in 2018, to 12663 in 2019, while the registration rate has increased from 75.9% in 2017, 95.5% in 2018, to 98.6% in 2019. Similarly, stray dog population has decreased from 14336 in 2017, 13067 in 2018, to 11837 in 2019, while sheltered rate has increased from 84.6% in 2017, 92.3% in 2018, to 96.6% in 2019. Dog de-worming frequency has increased from four times per annum in 2017 to 12 times in 2019, indicating that approximately every dog was dewormed monthly. A total number of 2715 dog fecal samples were collected for coproantigen ELISA assay. The dog infection rate was 2.8% (77/2715) in 2019, which was significantly lower than7.3% (45/618) in 2016 (P<0.05).Conclusions Increased dog registration, decreased dog population, and increased dog de-worming frequency contributed to significantly decreased dog infection rate in Linzhi, TAR. Control and prevention campaign based on dog management can significantly decrease dog infection with Echinococcus spp in echinococcosis endemic areas.

The effects of management of infection source of echinococcosis in Linzhi, Tibet autonomous region of China

Background Echinococcosis is highly endemic in western and northern China, Tibet Autonomous Region （TAR）is one of the most serious prevalent areas where the prevalence of echinococcosis in 2016 was 1.66% in humans and dog infection rate was 7.30%. Linzhi is located in southeastern part of TAR where the prevalence of echinococcosis in 2016 was 1.55% in humans and in dog infection rate was 7.28%.Dogs are the main infection source for the transmission of echinococcosis to humans. A control and prevention campaignbased on dog management has been conductedin the past three years. This study is toevaluate the effects of dog management on infection rate of dogs.Methods Data of dog population, registration and de-worming of 7 counties/district in Linzhi from 2017 to 2019 were collected. Domestic dog fecal samples were collected from each endemic town of7 counties/district in Linzhiin 2019 to determine the infection of dogsusing coproantigen ELISA. Data analysis was processed using SPSS statistics to compare dog infection rate between 2016 and 2019 by chi-square test, and maps were mapped using ArcGIS.Results In Linzhi, domestic dog population decreased from 17407 in 2017, 16512 in 2018, to 12663 in 2019, whilethe registration rate increased from 75.92% in 2017, 95.48% in 2018, to 98.64% in 2019. Similarly, stray dog populationdecreased from 14336 in 2017, 13067 in 2018, to 11837 in 2019, while sheltered rateincreased from 84.63% in 2017, 92.32% in 2018, to 96.63% in 2019.Dog de-worming frequency increased from 4 times per annum in 2017 to 12 times in 2019, indicating almost every dog was dewormed monthly. A total of 2715 dog fecal samples were collected for coproantigen ELISA assay. The dog infection rate was 2.84% (77/2715) in 2019, which was significantly lower than7.28% (45/618) in 2016 (P＜0.05).Conclusion Increased dog registration, decreased dog population and increased dog de-worming frequency contributed to significantly decreased dog infection rate in Linzhi, TAR. Control and prevention campaign based on dog management can significantly decrease dog infection with Echinococcus spp in echinococcosis endemic areas.

Wild and Domestic Canids and Their Interactions in the Transmission Cycles of Trypanosoma Cruzi and Leishmania spp. in an Area of the Brazilian Cerrado

Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. are parasites that infect multiple hosts including canids, considered bioaccumulators of parasites. Deforestation in the Cerrado biome has resulted in the exposure of wild canids to anthropized areas, where they may establish ecological and epidemiological relationships with domestic dogs. We evaluated the infection by trypanosomatids in canids from a Cerrado agroecosystem between 2013 and 2017. Samples of wild canids (blood, bone marrow and skin) and dogs (blood) were collected for parasitological, serological and molecular diagnosis. A total of 414 samples from wild (n = 131) and domestic (n = 283) canids were collected, including recaptures. We obtained five positive hemocultures from Lycalopex vetulus (n = 2), Cerdocyon thous (n = 1) and dogs (n = 2), all characterized as T. cruzi TcIII/V (18S rDNA) and TcIII/V/VI (gGAPDH); one positive skin fragment for Leishmania sp. (C. thous), one positive skin culture (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and one positive fresh blood examination from a dog. Infection by T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. was serologically confirmed in 18% and 4% of the canids, respectively. Active transmission was attested by seroconversion events and occurred despite the low rate of positive parasitological assays. Wild and domestic canids infected by both parasites were detected sharing the same areas, pointing to a possible spillover of parasites among them.

The Effects of Management of Infection Source of Echinococcosis in Linzhi, Tibet Autonomous Region of China

BackgroundEchinococcosis is highly endemic in western and northern China，Tibet Autonomous Region （TAR）is one of the most serious prevalent area with the prevalence of echinococcosis in humans was 1.66% and in dog was 7.30% in 2016. Linzhi is located in southeastern part of TAR with the prevalence of echinococcosis in humans was 1.55% and in dog was 7.28% in 2016.，Dogs are the main infection source for the transmission of echinococcosis to humans. A control and prevention campaignbased on dog management has been undertaken in the past three years. This study is toevaluate the effects of dog management on prevalence of echinococcosis in dogs.MethodsData of dog population, registration and de-worming of 7 counties/district in Linzhi from 2017 to 2019 were collected. Domestic dog fecal samples were collected from each endemic town of7 counties/district in Linzhi in 2019 to determine infection of dog using coproantigen ELISA. Data analysis was processed using SPSS statistics to compare dog infection rate between 2016 and 2019 by chi-square test, and maps were mapped using ArcGIS.ResultsIn Linzhi, domestic dog population with 17407, 16512, 12663 decreased and the registration rate with 5.92%, 95.48%, 98.64% increased each year from 2017 to 2019. Similarly, stray dog population with 14336, 13067, 11837 decreased while sheltered rate with 84.63%, 92.32% 96.63% increased year by year. Dog de-worming frequency increased from 4 times per annum in 2017 to 12 times in 2019, almost every dog was dewormed monthly. A total of 2715 dog fecal samples were collected for coproantigen ELISA assay. The dog infection rate was 2.84% (77/2715) in 2019, which significantly lower than 2016 with 7.28% (45/618) (P＜0.05).ConclusionIncreased dog registration, decreased dog population and increased dog de-worming frequency contributed to significantly decreased dog infection rate in Linzhi, TAR. Control and prevention campaign based on dog management can significantly decrease dog infection with Echinococcus spp in echinococcosis endemic areas but needs strictly implementation.

Taeniasis in non-descript dogs in Ngorongoro, Tanzania: Prevalence and predisposing factors

The prevalence of taeniasis was determined during the period January to April 2013 in a cross-sectional study of non-descript domestic dogs from the livestock–wildlife ecosystem of Ngorongoro, Tanzania. Taeniid eggs were determined by screening faecal samples using the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Predisposing factors for dog infection were assessed in relation to demographic, husbandry and management data. Of the 205 faecal samples screened, 150 (73.2%) were positive for taeniid eggs. The prevalence of dogs harbouring taeniid eggs was 80%, 30.2% and 75.3% in the less than 1 year, 1–3 years and greater than 3 years of age groups, respectively. Age group and sex prevalence in dogs did not differ significantly (P > 0.05), although the females showed a marginally higher prevalence (73.8%) in comparison to the males (72.7%). Taeniid eggs were significantly more likely to be found in the faeces of dogs located in Waso (80.6%) and Endulen (75%) than in Malambo (63.2%, P < 0.05). The study revealed that dogs owned and raised by agro-pastoralists were at a lower risk of acquiring Taenia spp. infection (P = 0.001) than those that were raised by pastoralists. The majority of dog owners were not aware of the predisposing factors and the mode of transmission of taeniids. Dogs were frequently fed on viscera, trimmings and the heads of slaughtered animals, and they were not treated for parasitic infections. The findings of this study indicate that taeniasis is prevalent among non-descript dogs in Ngorongoro, underscoring the need for further research and active surveillance to better understand the transmission cycle of Taenia spp. in a wider geographical area in Tanzania.

Non-Strongyloides rhabditida identified in fecal samples – two case reports: lessons learned from morphological and molecular diagnostic approaches

SUMMARYNematodes in the order Rhabditida, including species ofStrongyloidesandPelodera, may be parasites of domestic animals. In this paper, we describe two apparent cases of rhabditid infections, one in a dog and one in a litter of piglets. The dog infection was originally considered likely to be an infection withStrongyloides, based on superficial morphological examination and PCR results without sequencing. However, more careful morphological analysis and inclusion of several molecular analyses, including sequencing, revealed that an infection withPeloderasp. was more likely, probablyPelodera pseudoteres. Treatment with fenbendazole and selamectin was apparently successful. Similarly, based on both morphological and molecular analyses the apparent piglet infections were considered most likely to be withRhabditisspp., possiblyRhabditis axei. The detection of larvae of nematodes in the order Rhabditida in fecal samples, particularly from dogs, may easily be considered as being indicative ofStrongyloidesinfection. Given the zoonotic potential of canineStrongyloides, correct diagnosis is important. However, as illustrated by these two cases, careful morphological examination and measurement, supported by full molecular investigations, including sequencing, are essential in order to avoid this misdiagnosis.