The frequency of intestinal parasites in puppies from Mexican kennels

doi:10.4236/health.2010.211196

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Vol.2, No.11, 1316-1319 (2010)

doi:10.4236/health.2010.211196

Health

The frequency of intestinal parasites in puppies from

Mexican kennels

Enedina Jiménez-Cardoso1*, Leticia Eligio-García1, Adrián Cortés-Campos1,

Apolinar Cano Estrada1, Margarita Pinto-Sagahón2, Cynthia Noguera-Estrada2

1Laboratorio de Investigación en Parasitología, Hospital Infantil de México FG, Dr. Márquez No. 162. Col. Doctores, D.F. 6720,

México; *Corresponding Author: [email protected];

2Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, USA.

Received 7 August 2010; revised 18 August 2010; accepted 30 August 2010.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this investigation was to deter-

mine the intestinal parasite prevalence in pup-

pies from six different kennels; four kennels

were in Guadalajara and Zapopan cities (Jalisco

State) and two kennels were in Mexico City.

From October 2006 to November 2007, we col-

lected 441 fecal samples from 147 puppies, both

male and female, ranging from 1 to 36 months of

age. Three samples from every puppy were ana-

lyzed by using the Faust technique. The preva-

lence found were as follows: Giardia intestinalis

(genotype A and B) 6.8%; Cystoisospora 21.08%;

Uncinaria 7.48%; Toxocara canis 12.29% and

multiparasitism (Giardia, Toxocara and Unci-

naria) 4.76%. The highest prevalence for both

Giardia and Cystoisospora were found in 2-3-

month-old puppies; the highest prevalence for

Toxocara canis was found in 3-4-month-old pu-

ppies. In the kennels of Mexico City we found

mainly Giardia intestinalis, Cystoisospora to be

most prevalent in Zapopan and Toxocara canis

in Guadalajara. The high prevalence of intestinal

parasites found in this study demonstrates an

increased risk for infection in humans, as these

animals are usually a common pet in many

homes. This zoonotic phenomenon represents

an important health problem for any community.

Keywords: Parasites; Giardia; Cystoisospora;

Dogs

1. INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs from

kennels depends on several variables, including the ken-

nels’ geographic area, number of animals sharing space,

and, most importantly, the sanitary conditions in which

the dogs live. Epidemiological studies of intestinal para-

sites give us an idea of the zoonotic risk for dogs living

in kennels as well as dogs living with a family as a do-

mesticated pet.

Several studies from kennels in Australia showed a

parasitic prevalence of 23.9%, with 9.3% of the cases

testing positive for Giardia intestinalis [1]. In Spain, a

study showed a prevalence of parasites in 25% of those

tested, with 6.0% of the cases testing positive for Toxo-

cara canis and 10.0% testing positive for Cystoisospora

[2]. In Greece, studies found a 26% parasitic prevalence,

with 12.8% of the cases testing positive for Toxocara

canis, 4.3% testing positive for Giardia duodenalis and

Cystoisospora, and 2.8% testing positive for Uncinaria

[3]. These statistics are important, as multiple parasites

are being found in puppies as young as six months;

therefore, kennel owners should treat all of their animals

for parasites to prevent the continued spread of gastroin-

testinal diseases [4]. For example, there is a high inci-

dence of Giardia in children; this could be explained if

the children are living in homes with a contaminated pet

[5]. Deworming and treating all kennel animals for para-

sites would reduce the cases of infection in humans.

When puppies lived in a small, confined area in

groups of 12 to 15, especially in cases when they lived

together with their mother, tests showed a high preva-

lence for Toxocara canis and Cystoisospora (36.4%). In

contrast, when puppies were kept in clean, spacious ar-

eas, these parasites were found in only 10% of those

tested. Finally, some reports show that the prevalence of

intestinal parasitism in dogs ranges from 35.5% to 100%

[6]. For dogs kept in private kennels, the prevalence

range is between 54% and 68% [7].

Intestinal parasitism can be an asymptomatic disease;

moreover, there is no a specific symptom that can iden-

tify a parasite. Therefore, all puppies kept in a kennel or

stored in similar places could receive a prophylactic

treatment to prevent intestinal parasitic from spreading

E. Jiménez-Cardoso et al. / HEALTH 2 (2010) 1316-1319

1317

to children who have puppies at home [8]. We therefore

conducted this investigation to elucidate the intestinal

parasite prevalence in different kennels located in Mex-

ico City and Jalisco State, with the hope of reducing the

possible risk factors associated with human-puppy para-

sitic diseases.

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

Identification and Prevalence of Parasites: From Oc-

tober 2006 to November 2007, we collected feces from

147 puppies (males and females) ranging from 1 to 36

months in age and obtained from six kennels, four of

which were in Guadalajara and Zapopan cities (Jalisco

State) and two of them were in Mexico City. The dogs

were fed at libitum and they received no special care in

their environment. We collected three samples from each

animal on different days. Identification of the parasites

was performed via the Faust technique [9], and the re-

sults were analyzed in relation to the dogs’ ages, sexes,

breed sizes and kennels. We considered data statistically

significant when p < 0.05 with 95% confidence interval

gram).

Genotype of Giardia: DNA was isolated from each

puppy’s fecal sample by using the fast DNA kit and the

fast prep instrument (QBiogene, inc., CA). Then B-giardin

gene from Giardia intestinalis was amplified using the

nested-PCR method [10]. After PCR, electrophoresis in

1.5% agarose gel was performed. Next, in a 10 µL reac-

tion volume, restriction digest reaction contained 7 µL of

amplicon obtained from the nested-PCR reaction, 10

mg/mL BSA and 10 U of HaeIII enzyme [11]. We incu-

bated this reaction mix at 37℃ for 3 hours, and then

analyzed the product using 2% agarose gel electrophore-

sis to determine the fragments obtained.

3. RESULTS

Identification and prevalence of parasites: The preva-

lence of Giardia intestinalis in dogs at different ages was

4.69%-6.8%, (95% CI, 2.11 to 11.49), as is seen in Table

1. The highest prevalence occurred in dogs that were 2-3

months old. A statistical difference was observed be-

tween groups: those groups with dogs older than 3 mon-

ths and those groups with dogs older than 11 months (p

< 0.05). In the same table, we have demonstrated that in

Mexico City, kennel-housed animals had the highest

rates of Giardia intestinalis (p = 0.003). Other analyses

did not show any statistical differences between breeds

or breed size, while the location of kennel housing was

important. The prevalence of both Cystoisospora and

Toxocar a in the puppies of Mexico City kennels was

Table 1. Prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in dogs from dif-

ferent ages and kennels.

Giardia intestinalis

Age months Total N (+) 95% CI p-value

Dogs

< 1-2 56 1 1.78-16.75

> 2-3 48 6 12.50-9.35 0.029

> 3-4 23 1 4.34-8.33 N.S.

> 4-5 8 0 0 -

> 5-11 5 1 20-35.06 0.04

> 11 7 1 14.28-25.92 N.S.

Total 147 10 2.11-11.49

Kennel

Guadalajara,

Jal 47 2 4.24 ± 5.77

Zapopan, Jal 28 0 - -

Mexico City 72 8 11.11-7.25 0.003

Total 147 10 6.80-4.07

Breed size

Small 76 3 3.94-4.37 N.S.

Medium 43 5 11.62-9.58 N.S.

Large 28 2 7.14-9.53 N.S.

Total 147 10 6.80-4.07

N (+): Number of positives cases; 95% Confidence interval; P > 0.05; N.S.

Non significant

statistically unique. As seen in Table 2, we analyzed dogs

2-3-month old dogs and 3-4 month-old dogs. Multiple

parasites were isolated in dogs older than 2-3 months old

(p < 0.002). Finally, Table 3 shows what parasites were

prevalent in each kennel. The highest infestation rate in

Mexico City was for Cystoisospora, and Toxocara was

highest in Zapopan (p < 0.001). In Guadalajara, most

cases showed a high prevalence for multiparasite infec-

tions. Notably, other analyses did not show statistical

differences in breed and sex.

The Genotype of Giardia: as shown in Figure 1 one

Giardia isolated was Genotype A2 and nine isolates

were Genotype A1.

4. DISCUSSION

The prevalence of Giardia intestinalis in puppies from

Mexican kennels was 6.8%, with the highest value in

dogs younger than 6 months old. Similar results have

een published by others [6,12-14] However, a good b

E. Jiménez-Cardoso et al. / HEALTH 2 (2010) 1316-1319

1318

Table 2. Prevalence of Cystoisospora, Toxocara and Uncinaria isolated from puppies in different ages.

Cystoisospora Uncinaria Toxocara Multiparasites: (Giardia,

Toxocara and Uncinaria).

Age

(months) (+)/T 95% CI p (+)/T 95%CI p (+)/T95% CI p(+)/T95% CI p Neg/T%

< 1-2 3/56 5.35 ± 5.89 NS 0/56 0 - 7/5612.5 - 8.66NS0 0 - 46/5682.16

> 2-3 14/48 29.16 ± 12.85 0.003 8/48 16.66 ± 10.54NS8/4816.66 - 10.54NS5/4810.41 - 8.64 0.002 13/4827.08

> 3-4 11/23 47.82 ± 20.41 NS 2/23 8.69 ± 11.51NS2/238.69 - 11.510.01 - - - 8/2334.78

> 4-5 2/8 25 ± 30 NS 1/8 12.5 ± 22.91NS2/825 -30 NS2/825 - 30 NS 1/8 12.5

Total 30/135 21.08 ± 6.59 11/135 7.48 ± 4.25 19/13514.07 - 5.42 7/5612.5 -3.44 68/13550.37

(+): positives cases; T: total; 95% Confidence interval; P > 0.05; N.S. Non significant

Table 3. Prevalence of multiparasites found in each kennel.

Cystoisospora Uncinaria Toxocara Multiparasites: (Giardia,

Toxocara and Uncinaria).

Kennel (+)/T CI ± 95% p1 (+)/T CI ± 95%p1(+)/TCI ± 95%p1 (+)/TCI ± 95% p1 Neg/T%

Guadalajara

Jalisco 10/17 21.27 ± 11.7 NS 0 - -0 - - 1/472.12 ± 4.1 0.03 36/47 76.59

Zapopan

Jalisco 15/28 53.57 ± 18.4 NS 2/28 7.14 ± 9.53NS1/283.57 ± 6.80.001 2/287.14 ± 9.5 NS 8/28 28.57

Mexico City 6/72 8.33 ± 6.38 0.001 9/72 12.5 ± 7.63NS18/7225 ± 10 NS 4/725.55 ± 5.2 NS 35/7248.61

Total 31/147 21.08 ± 6.5 11/147 7.48 ± 4.25 19/14712.92 ± 5.4 7/1474.76 ± 3.4 79/14753.74

(+): positives cases; T: total; 95% Confidence interval; P > 0.05; N.S. Non significant

Openly accessible at

Figure 1. Genotype of Giardia intestinalis using B-giardina

gene. MW - Molecular weights; CA Amplification control;

Lane 1.- Genotype A2; Lanes 2-10 Genotype A1.

analysis should consider the following factors at least:

geographic area; whether the kennel is private, public, or

a business; number of animals living in the same space;

hygiene standards; and feeding conditions. Determina-

tion of a Giardia genotype in the present investigation

was important, as genotypes A and B are found in hu-

mans. Because the genotype found in nine samples was

A1, whereas only one sample contained A2, and the fact

that these samples were all collected from puppies living

in different kennels, we can assume that we are facing a

potential zoonotic problem in communities that house

dogs taken from kennels [15].

The presence of several parasites (such as Giardia,

Cystoisospora and Toxocara) that were observed in the

present study have been studied and published by others

[4,5,16,17]. This multiple parasitism could be the result

of puppies becoming contaminated by their mother when

they were very small or contracted from living in small,

private spaces and/or lack of treatment due to the cost of

preventive medication. In addition, Nikolić [18] reported

that even inside private homes, there is a distinct preva-

lence of puppies with intestinal parasites. However, less

than 50% of the animals we tested showed positive re-

sults for infection.

Toxocara canis infection is both an animal and a hu-

man health problem that has been described in the last

decade, since it became possible to isolate Toxocara

from dog’s hair, public parks, gardens, and even indoor

homes [17,19,20]. Furthermore, it is an important zoo-

notic problem [21-23]. In humans, the disease is referred

as larva migrans, and it is considered an epidemiological

disease [24].

This investigation demonstrates the importance of

treating parasites in dogs, and recommends community

programs be offered on pet handling and immunization

E. Jiménez-Cardoso et al. / HEALTH 2 (2010) 1316-1319

1319

Openly accessible at

to prevent further human infection, as some of the para-

sites have been isolated from both animals and humans,

suggesting a problem stemming from veterinary-human

interaction.

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