Multiple Zoonotic Pathogens Identified in Canine Feces Collected from a Remote Canadian Indigenous Community

Abstract

Five genera of potentially zoonotic bacteria and parasites were detected in environmentally collected fecal samples from a remote indigenous community in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Organisms identified include Toxocara canis, Echniococcus granulosus, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Campylobacter spp. The prevalence and intensity of Giardia spp. and Campylobacter spp. in fecal samples was particularly remarkable. Three-quarters of samples tested contained at least one zoonotic species of Campylobacter, and C. jejuni-containing feces had an average of 2.9 × 105 organisms/g. Over one-half of samples tested contained Giardia spp. with an average of 9,266 cysts/g. Zoonotic G. duodenalis Assemblage A was the only Giardia spp. genotype identified. These data suggest that canine feces have the potential to pose a significant health risk to Canadians in rural and remote indigenous communities.

Sentinel Surveillance for Zoonotic Parasites in Companion Animals in Indigenous Communities of Saskatchewan

“…35 In our study, 2% to 37% of canid fecal samples from four communities were positive for G. duodenalis, and the zoonotic genotype A was confirmed in dogs in two communities. The work by Himsworth and others 18 found a prevalence of 61% in dog feces from another indigenous community in SK, whereas the work by Gaunt and Carr 19 found a prevalence of 0.4% in dogs from an urban center in SK. However, prevalence of Giardia is generally underestimated in surveillance studies because of the sporadic shedding of cysts, poor sensitivity of flotation assays, and potential for subclinical infection.…”

“…31 G. duodenalis Assemblage A has been identified in dogs in SK, AB, and the Northwest Territories, and it is considered zoonotic because of its lack of host specificity (hosts include dogs, cats, and people). 15,18,37 Assemblage A is known to be more virulent in people than other genotypes, and it should be considered a potential risk to public health in the CH and MCR regions where we identified infection in dogs. 35,38 For other parasites, dogs are not direct sources of human infection, but instead, they serve as sentinels for parasites that are acquired by both people and dogs through common routes of exposure.…”

“…34 G. duodenalis has been identified in a variety of wildlife species and companion animals in Saskatchewan, including dogs, coyotes, and beavers. 18,19,35,36 It is most often spread by direct contact or contaminated food and water sources. 35 In our study, 2% to 37% of canid fecal samples from four communities were positive for G. duodenalis, and the zoonotic genotype A was confirmed in dogs in two communities.…”

“…12,16 More recently, canine fecal samples collected from one Saskatchewan reserve in 2008 were 85, 153, and 8 times more likely to be infected with T. canis, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium, respectively, than canine fecal samples collected in Saskatoon in [2008][2009]. 18,19 In addition, both humans and dogs on this reserve were infected with E. granulosus, the cause of cystic hydatid disease in people. 6 In the current study, we examined feces from dogs in indigenous areas of the Canadian Prairies to measure the prevalence of zoonotic parasites.…”

Review on Chemical Sterilization of Male Dogs.

“…Echinococcus granulosus) or urine (e.g. Leptospira) of infected animals, making fecal and urine contamination of public spaces an important route of pathogen transmission to humans (Himsworth et al, 2010).…”