Epidemiology of canine gastrointestinal helminths in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

BackgroundDogs have a close association with humans providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein. However, dogs are also potential carriers of zoonotic pathogens. Dogs, therefore, pose a public health risk and a good understanding of canine diseases is important for planning and implementing control measures. The aim of this study was to characterise canine helminthiasis in sub-Saharan Africa using a systematic approach.MethodsPubmed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant primary studies published from 2000. Forty-one eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled prevalences were estimated using the quality effects model.Results and conclusionsTwenty-six genera of enteric helminths were reported and the pooled estimate of canine helminthiasis was 71% (95% CI: 63–79%). Species of Ancylostoma and Toxocara, causative agents of larva migrans in humans, were the most frequently reported helminths with pooled estimated prevalences of 41% (95% CI: 32–50%) and 22% (95% CI: 16–29%), respectively. Dipylidium caninum and Taenia spp. were the most frequently reported cestodes with pooled estimated prevalences of 20% (95% CI: 12–29%) and 9% (95% CI: 5–15%), respectively. Trematodes were rarely reported. There was a high level of heterogeneity in most pooled estimates (I2 ˃ 80%). The results of this study show that canine helminthiasis is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and there is need for regular deworming programmes to improve the health status of the dogs and minimise the potential health risk to humans.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2688-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence of Intestinal Helminth Infections of Stray Dogs of Public Health Significance in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

“…Also, eyes and cerebral involvement with seizures may occur [8][9][10][11]. The prevalence of dog toxocara infection in West Africa is approximately 21% [4]. Ova of Ascaris species have been seen in the dog's faeces and this shows that it can be transmitted to humans from dogs.…”

“…Cutaneous larva migrans in human is caused by cutaneous contact with the infective stages of Ancylostoma species [3], [10]. The prevalence of dog Ancylostoma infection in West and sub-Saharan Africa is 28% and 41% respectively [4]. Echinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic tapeworm causing echinococcosis in dogs and is usually symptomless.…”

“…Infection occurs when fertile eggs or proglottids are ingested and oncospheres are released in the intestine [1], [11]. The prevalence of Dipylidium caninum in sub-Saharan Africa is 20% [4]. It is also one of the common parasites found in dogs.…”

“…The prevalence of dog intestinal helminth infection in sub-Saharan and West Africa is 71% and 59% respectively. Ancylostoma is the most commonly encountered species of intestinal helminth in these regions [4]. Recent studies in Nigeria put the overall prevalence of intestinal helminth of dogs between 32%-56% [5][6][7].…”

Zoonotic helminth parasites of dog in Bishoftu Town, central Ethiopia: prevalence, dog owners’ knowledge and control practice

“…However, the overall prevalence recorded in this study is much lower than the previously reported prevalence that ranged from 73 to 90.7% in some parts of Ethiopia (Jones et al, 2011;Abere et al, 2012;Paulos et al, 2012;Gugsa et al, 2015;Merga and Sibhat, 2015;Tamerat et al, 2015). A recent review on canine helminths in sub-Saharan Africa revealed high pooled prevalence of 71% (95% CI: 63-79%) across 36 studies (Chidumayo, 2018). A study conducted in Canada reported an overall infection prevalence of 16.5% (Joffe et al, 2011).…”