Epidemiological Analysis of Intestinal Parasites in Canine Faecal Samples from Public Green Places: Spatial, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Associations

Dogs harbour a wide range of endoparasites, many of which pose a significant risk to public health globally due to their zoonotic potential. Addressing the dynamics of zoonotic parasites comprehensively requires epidemiological studies under the One Health paradigm, incorporating multidisciplinary m...

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Main Authors: Eliana Riva, Mariana Alejandra Rivero, Milagros Junco, Federica Sagües, Sara Zegbi, Inés Guerrero, Mariana Elisabet Fuentes, Manuela Southwell, Santiago Linares, María Emilia Bellusci, Gisele Bernat, Silvina Fernández
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Parasitologia
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6772/5/2/19
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author Eliana Riva
Mariana Alejandra Rivero
Milagros Junco
Federica Sagües
Sara Zegbi
Inés Guerrero
Mariana Elisabet Fuentes
Manuela Southwell
Santiago Linares
María Emilia Bellusci
Gisele Bernat
Silvina Fernández
author_facet Eliana Riva
Mariana Alejandra Rivero
Milagros Junco
Federica Sagües
Sara Zegbi
Inés Guerrero
Mariana Elisabet Fuentes
Manuela Southwell
Santiago Linares
María Emilia Bellusci
Gisele Bernat
Silvina Fernández
author_sort Eliana Riva
collection DOAJ
description Dogs harbour a wide range of endoparasites, many of which pose a significant risk to public health globally due to their zoonotic potential. Addressing the dynamics of zoonotic parasites comprehensively requires epidemiological studies under the One Health paradigm, incorporating multidisciplinary methodologies to explore the complex interactions among humans, animals and the environment. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of canine parasites in public green places (PGPs) in Tandil, Argentina, using epidemiological and geographical tools to enhance efforts towards the prevention and control of canine parasitic diseases impacting public health. Between August 2024 and January 2025, 893 canine faecal samples were collected through a randomised two-stage sampling process from 92 public green places. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 29.9% and the identified parasites were <i>Trichuris vulpis</i>, <i>Ancylostoma caninum</i>, <i>Eucoleus</i> spp., <i>Uncinaria stenocephala</i>, <i>Toxascaris leonina</i>, and <i>Cystoisospora</i> sp. Risk factors identified included the presence of playgrounds and a higher dog density, while protective factors comprised sampling during spring vs. winter and presence of areas of bare soil on the public green places. Spatial analysis revealed clusters of high prevalence in areas with lower socioeconomic status, and clusters of low prevalence in higher socioeconomic areas. These findings emphasise the need for targeted preventive measures, including responsible pet ownership policies. Moreover, the methodological approach adopted could be replicated in other regions to enhance public health protection and mitigate the risks associated with zoonotic parasitic diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-396dc1e1496f45b4ba08d1469aa548432025-08-20T02:21:46ZengMDPI AGParasitologia2673-67722025-04-01521910.3390/parasitologia5020019Epidemiological Analysis of Intestinal Parasites in Canine Faecal Samples from Public Green Places: Spatial, Socioeconomic, and Environmental AssociationsEliana Riva0Mariana Alejandra Rivero1Milagros Junco2Federica Sagües3Sara Zegbi4Inés Guerrero5Mariana Elisabet Fuentes6Manuela Southwell7Santiago Linares8María Emilia Bellusci9Gisele Bernat10Silvina Fernández11Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigaciones en Sanidad Animal, Pública y Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigaciones Geográficas, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigaciones Geográficas, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaCentro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN), CONICET-UNCPBA-CICPBA, Tandil B7000, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaDogs harbour a wide range of endoparasites, many of which pose a significant risk to public health globally due to their zoonotic potential. Addressing the dynamics of zoonotic parasites comprehensively requires epidemiological studies under the One Health paradigm, incorporating multidisciplinary methodologies to explore the complex interactions among humans, animals and the environment. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of canine parasites in public green places (PGPs) in Tandil, Argentina, using epidemiological and geographical tools to enhance efforts towards the prevention and control of canine parasitic diseases impacting public health. Between August 2024 and January 2025, 893 canine faecal samples were collected through a randomised two-stage sampling process from 92 public green places. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 29.9% and the identified parasites were <i>Trichuris vulpis</i>, <i>Ancylostoma caninum</i>, <i>Eucoleus</i> spp., <i>Uncinaria stenocephala</i>, <i>Toxascaris leonina</i>, and <i>Cystoisospora</i> sp. Risk factors identified included the presence of playgrounds and a higher dog density, while protective factors comprised sampling during spring vs. winter and presence of areas of bare soil on the public green places. Spatial analysis revealed clusters of high prevalence in areas with lower socioeconomic status, and clusters of low prevalence in higher socioeconomic areas. These findings emphasise the need for targeted preventive measures, including responsible pet ownership policies. Moreover, the methodological approach adopted could be replicated in other regions to enhance public health protection and mitigate the risks associated with zoonotic parasitic diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6772/5/2/19endoparasitesdogsprevalenceepidemiological analysiszoonosisfaecal samples
spellingShingle Eliana Riva
Mariana Alejandra Rivero
Milagros Junco
Federica Sagües
Sara Zegbi
Inés Guerrero
Mariana Elisabet Fuentes
Manuela Southwell
Santiago Linares
María Emilia Bellusci
Gisele Bernat
Silvina Fernández
Epidemiological Analysis of Intestinal Parasites in Canine Faecal Samples from Public Green Places: Spatial, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Associations
Parasitologia
endoparasites
dogs
prevalence
epidemiological analysis
zoonosis
faecal samples
title Epidemiological Analysis of Intestinal Parasites in Canine Faecal Samples from Public Green Places: Spatial, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Associations
title_full Epidemiological Analysis of Intestinal Parasites in Canine Faecal Samples from Public Green Places: Spatial, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Associations
title_fullStr Epidemiological Analysis of Intestinal Parasites in Canine Faecal Samples from Public Green Places: Spatial, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Associations
title_full_unstemmed Epidemiological Analysis of Intestinal Parasites in Canine Faecal Samples from Public Green Places: Spatial, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Associations
title_short Epidemiological Analysis of Intestinal Parasites in Canine Faecal Samples from Public Green Places: Spatial, Socioeconomic, and Environmental Associations
title_sort epidemiological analysis of intestinal parasites in canine faecal samples from public green places spatial socioeconomic and environmental associations
topic endoparasites
dogs
prevalence
epidemiological analysis
zoonosis
faecal samples
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6772/5/2/19
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