Zoonotic Parasites in Playgrounds in Southern Spain: A One Health Approach

Abstract

Zoonotic parasitic diseases are considered a global threat to public health. In this sense, canines and felines may be infected by different cosmopolitan parasites, with playgrounds serving as an important focus of infection for humans, as well as domestic or wild animals. Knowledge of the epidemiological situation of parasites in animal reservoirs integrated into the environment, identifying the spread pathways, is a key element for an effective response to this threat. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the frequency of intestinal parasites with zoonotic potential in 120 playgrounds in the Malaga province (Spain). Samples were processed and analysed following standard parasitological procedures. Some 36.7% of playgrounds were parasite-positive with one or more zoonotic parasites. The most common parasites recovered were nematodes (60.0%), followed by protozoan species (33.3%) and cestodes (6.7%). In the parasite-positive playgrounds, Toxocara spp. (17.0 ± 3.5%) and Giardia duodenalis (17.0 ± 3.4%) were the most predominant parasites. In addition, 34.1% of playgrounds were infected with multiple parasites. Our results show a high presence of parasitic forms with zoonotic potential in playgrounds in Malaga, Spain. Due to the close contact between pets and humans in playgrounds, the potential zoonotic risk may increase if prevention and control measures are not designed.

Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains to Last Resort Human Antibiotics Isolated from Healthy Companion Animals in Valencia Region

“…In recent decades, there has been a paradigm shift, as the general perception of companion animals has changed from being seen as a work tool to a family member, creating a bond with their owners and providing companionship, and sharing spaces and their daily routine [3,4]. However, these animals not only live with their owners in their homes but also interact with other animals, domestic or wild [5], and people, such as children or the elderly, in public places such as parks, streets or beaches [6].…”

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Owned Dogs in Serbia: Prevalence and Risk Factors

“…Various studies conducted worldwide report a high prevalence of different types of parasites in the category of owned dogs [2,7,[10][11][12]. Accordingly, they may serve as reservoirs of zoonotic parasites and can contaminate soil with the infectious stages of the parasites, such as the eggs and larvae of helminths, as well as the cysts of protozoa [13][14][15][16][17]. Some dog parasites can also infect humans, causing disease.…”

Gastrointestinal parasites in captive wild birds in Mineiros, Goiás, Brazil

“…Such adverse activities exacerbate the spread and transmission of diseases, including gastrointestinal parasitic infections, by disrupting natural habitats and inducing stress, wich compromises the immune systems of theses wild birds ( Lacerda et al ., 2023 , Liang et al ., 2023). These conditions also facilitate the emergence and spread of novel pathogens, heightening the risk of zoonotic diseases that could affect both domestic animals and humans (Allen et al , 2017; Otranto et al ., 2019 ; Yasmeen et al ., 2023 ; Lorenzo-Rebenaque et al , 2023 ). The loss of biodiversity, especially instrumental species in pest and disease control, accelerates disease dispersions, creating a feedback loop that threatens global health security ( Quinn et al ., 2017 ; Lorenzo-Rebenaque et al , 2023 ; Yasmeen et al ., 2023 ).…”

“…These conditions also facilitate the emergence and spread of novel pathogens, heightening the risk of zoonotic diseases that could affect both domestic animals and humans (Allen et al , 2017; Otranto et al ., 2019 ; Yasmeen et al ., 2023 ; Lorenzo-Rebenaque et al , 2023 ). The loss of biodiversity, especially instrumental species in pest and disease control, accelerates disease dispersions, creating a feedback loop that threatens global health security ( Quinn et al ., 2017 ; Lorenzo-Rebenaque et al , 2023 ; Yasmeen et al ., 2023 ).…”