Int. J. Biosci.

2024

International Journal of Biosciences | IJB |

ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print) 2222-5234 (Online)
http://www.innspub.net
Vol. 25, No. 5, p. 38-43, 2024

RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs: A community

prevalence study in delta state, Nigeria

Ede Emmanuel Lemy*1, Owhororo Ejiro1, Orhewere Regina Dada Abiodun2,

Asibeluo Eloho Hope3

1
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Delta State University, Abraka,
Delta State, Nigeria
2
Department of Basic Science, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Delta State University of Science and Technology,
3

Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria

Key words: Dogs, Gastrointestinal parasites, Zoonotic diseases

http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/25.5.38-43 Article published on November 06, 2024

Abstract
This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Obiaruku
community and its environs of Delta State, Nigeria. A total number of 110 dogs were examined in the different
quarters (Ghana Quarters and Izu Quarters) using saline wet mount and formol-ether concentration
techniques. The study recorded 39.1% prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in the study area. The
prevalence studies per community show that Izu quarters had the highest prevalence of 27 (39.7%), while
Ghana Quarters had the least prevalence 16 (38.1%). The species-specific prevalence of zoonotic
gastrointestinal parasites of dogs examined in different communities in Obiaruku showed that the highest 16
(59.2%) parasitic infection was Ancylostoma caninum, followed by Dipylidium caninum 6 (22.2%), Toxocara
canis 4 (14.8%) and the least 1 (3.7%) was Trichuris vulpis in Izu Quarters. The sex-related prevalence of
zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Izu Quarters showed that the female dogs 11 (47.8%) was more
infected than the male 16 (39.0%). The age-related prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in
Izu Quarters showed that the puppies of age 0-6months 16 (50.0%) were more infected, followed by adult of
more than 12 months of age 7 (35.0%) and the young dog of 7-11 months 5 (31.2%). It is therefore necessary
that policies that would aim at vaccination and deworming of dogs should be enforced in these areas.
* Corresponding Author: Ede Emmanuel Lemy  [email protected]

38 Lemy et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2024

Introduction Environmental contamination by dog faeces in

The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is generally public spaces is a risk factor to public health, as
considered as the first domesticated mammals from dogs can be carriers of pathogenic agents that are
wolves (Morey, 2016). The relationship between transmissible to humans (Pam et al., 2013).
humans and dogs has existed for many centuries, Zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs is
with several advantages and some known currently endemic in 20 of the 36 state in Nigeria
disadvantages (Cutt et al., 2007). In most (Ogbaje et al., 2015) and with the increasing
industrialized countries, dogs have been put to number of dogs in some communities of Delta
remarkably high adapt to human needs in health State, coupled with poor environmental practices
promotion, guiding the blind, assisting the deaf, and lack of awareness of this zoonotic parasites,
assisting persons that are impaired in their mobility, they may be a possible public health risk of human
sniffing out drugs, explosives and other dangerous and other intermediate host getting infected with
chemicals beyond what human can do. Dogs have these parasites is inevitable. Therefore, this study
also been trained for search and rescue mission was conducted in order to enrich baseline data on
using their powerful sense of smell to locate lost and the occurrence of zoonotic gastrointestinal
injured as well as to alert epileptic patients that a parasites of dogs in Obiaruku community and its
seizure is imminent (Cutt et al., 2007; Gillum and environs of Delta State, Nigeria.
Obisesan, 2010).
Materials and methods
However, in Nigeria, studies on the use of dogs have Study area
shown that people keep dogs for various reasons, for Obiaruku is situated in the Niger Delta region
companionship as pet, house guard, assistance for which is rich in oil and gas. It lies between latitude
hunting of wildlife, and as food animal. Their 5°51’N and 6°10’N and longitude 5°10’E and 5°48’E
perceived economic and social worth thus depends on of Ukwuani Local Government Area. The area is
the community values attached to their use, which drained by the River Ethiope and one of its
varies from one place to another. The value attributed tributaries, the Orogodo River which only flows
to dogs are mainly based on the culture of the people into the River Ethiope during the rainy season. The
which contributes to the condition at which the dogs climate is of the tropical equatorial climate with
are kept as well as level of supervision they receive mean annual temperature of 27.32℃, average
within human community (WHO, 2020). relative humidity of about 60%-80% and annual
rainfall amount of 4205mm (Ojeh, 2012; Lemy and
Despite its usefulness, dogs like many other canines Egwunyenga, 2018).
have been reported to harbour a variety of zoonotic
intestinal parasites, such as Ancylostoma caninum, Study population
Dipylidium caninum, Toxocara canis, Giardia canis, The study populations consisted of household dogs
Isospora canis and Trichuris vulpis among many from different quarters within Obiaruku. The dogs
others, some of which can also infect livestock, were group into local and exotic breed. Information
wildlife and humans (Sowemimo and Asaolu, 2018). was obtained on the approximate age, sex and breed
These parasites causes mortality in dogs and their of each dog from their dog owners, using the criteria
role in transmitting infections to humans have been described by Tizard (1996). Age was conventionally
widely recognized (Perera et al., 2013). The signs and classified as young (0-3) month, sub-adults (3 month
symptoms of these parasitic infections in dog’s ranges to 1 year), adult (1-8) year and old (>8) years (Tizard,
from vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, anorexia to 1996), but for the purpose of this study age of dogs
dermatitis. Although so-me infected animals may were grouped into three categories 0-6 months, 7-11
present no symptoms (Getahun and Addis, 2012). months and one year and above.

39 Lemy et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2024

Study design Formol-ether concentration techniques

The study was carried out from December 2022 In a suitable container, a small portion of faecal
through September, 2023 to determine the sample was thoroughly mixed with 4ml of 10% formal
prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of saline and then filtered through mesh gauze into a
dogs in some quarters (Ghana Quarters and Izu beaker. About 7mL of the filtrate was transferred into
Quarters) in Obiaruku, Delta State, using a centrifuge tube, 3ml of ethyl acetate was added into
sedimentation and wet mount techniques. the 7mL of filtrate, and this was centrifuged at
1500rpm (revolution per minute) for 5 minutes. After
Sample collection centrifugation, the tube was allowed to rest in a rack.
Clean sample containers were distributed to dog Four layers became visible, the top layer was that of
owners for the collection of specified quantity of ether, the second was a plug of debris, the third was a
faecal samples. The samples were collected from layer of formal-saline and the fourth was sediment
fresh voided faeces, into labeled disposable containing the eggs and cysts of the parastes. An
container and examined macroscopically for applicator stick was used to break through the debris
proglottides. During collection each sample was layer, and the first three layers were discarded, the
labeled with the corresponding dog’s number, date, sediment at the bottom of the tube was shaken. It was
age group, sex, breed and place of collection. The then transferred to a clean slide and a coverslip was
samples were transported immediately to the placed on the slide and examine under the
Advanced Research Laboratory, Delta State microscope using X10 or X40 objective lens
University, Abraka. A small quantity of faeces from (Cheesbrough, 2005).
each dog was mixed thoroughly with 10% formalin
for preservation. Data analysis
Raw data from this study was entered into Microsoft
Parasitological procedures excel data base system; chi-square test was used to
The presences of zoonotic intestinal parasites of measure association between prevalence of the
dogs were confirmed by sedimentation and wet parasite with the age, sex and breeds of dogs. In all
mount techniques. After laboratory examination, the analysis, the confidence level was held at 95% and
the result was considered as positive when at least the results were considered significant at (P<0.05).
one parasite egg or cyst was observed in one of the
employed technique (Lorenzini et al., 2007). The Results
eggs were identified using ova identification keys A total number of 110 dogs were examined in the
from center for diseases control and prevention different quarters (Ghana Quarters and Izu Quarters)
and chesbrough diagnostic text book within Obiaruku community and environs, out of which
(Cheesbrough, 2005). 43 (39.1%) dogs were found to be infected with zoonotic
gastrointestinal parasites of dogs (Table 1). The
Saline wet mount preparation techniques prevalence studies per community show that Izu
A drop of normal saline was placed on a slide and quarters had the highest prevalence of 27 (39.7%), while
an applicator stick was used to pick a small portion Ghana Quarters had the least prevalence 16 (38.1%)
of the faecal sample equivalent to the size of a gastrointestinal parasites of dogs examined in different
match head, this was then mixed with the saline communities in Obiaruku showed that the highest 16
drop. A cover slip was placed on the slide and (59.2%) parasitic infection was Ancylostoma caninum,
examined under a microscope for the presence of followed by Dipylidium caninum 6 (22.2%), Toxocara
ova, cyst, trophozoites and adult worms using the canis 4 (14.8%) and the least 1 (3.7%) was Trichuris
X10 and X40 objective lens (Cheesbrough, 2005). vulpis in Izu Quarters (Table 2).

40 Lemy et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2024

Table 1. Overall prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in the study area
Studied areas No of dogs examined No of dogs infected Prevalence (%)
Obiaruku
Ghana quarters 42 16 38.1
Izu Quarters 68 27 39.7
Total 110 43 84.1
X2=9.793859981356, df=5, P-value=0.08

Table 2. Prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs identified in the study area
Study area Parasite species identified
No. examined

No. infected

Ancylostoma

Isospora sp.
Dipylidium

Toxocara

Trichuris
caninum

caninum

vulpis
canis
Izu quarters 68 27 (39.7) 16 (59.2) 6 (22.2) 4 (14.8) 1 (3.7) 0 (0.0)
Ghana quarters 42 16 (38.1) 3 (18.7) 4 (25.0) 9 (56.2) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
Total 110 43 (77.8) 19 (77.9) 10 (47.2) 13 (71.0) 1 (3.7) 0 (0.0)
X2=33.971, P-value=0.0263

Table 3. Sex- related prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in the study area
Location No. examined No. infected Parasites identified (%)
Ancylostoma

Male Male

Isospora sp.
Dipylidium

Toxocara

Trichuris
caninum

caninum

vulpis
canis
Izu qrts 45 16 (35.5) 13 (28.8) 1 (2.2) 2 (4.4) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
Ghana qrts 23 9 (39.1) 3 (33.3) 1(11.1) 5 (55.5) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)
Female Female
Izu qrts 23 11 (47.8) 3 (27.2) 5 (45.4) 2 (18.1) 1 (9.0) 0 (0.0)
Ghana qrts 19 7 (36.8) 0 (0.0) 3 (48.8) 4 (57.1) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)

Table 4. Age-related prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in the study area
Location and age Parasites identified (%)
No. infected
No examine

Ancylostoma

Isospora sp.
Dipylidium

Toxocara

Trichuris
caninum

caninum

vulpis
canis

Izu quarters
0–6 32 16 (50.0) 10 (62.5) 3 (18.7) 3 (18.7) 0 (0.0) 3 (18.7)
7 – 11 16 5 (31.2) 3 (60.0) 2 (40.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 2 (40.0)
>12 20 6 (35.0) 3 (42.8) 1 (14.2) 1 (14.2) 1 (14.2) 1 (14.2)
Ghana quarters
0–6 20 8 (40.0) 1 (12.5) 2 (25.0) 4 (50.0) 0 (0.0) 2 (25.0)
7 – 11 10 5 (50.0) 1 (20.0) 1 (20.0) 3 (60.0) 0 (0.0) 1 (20.0)
>12 12 3 (25.0) 1 (33.3) 1 (33.3) 1 (33.3) 0 (0.0) 1 (33.3)

The sex-related prevalence of zoonotic caninum 1 (6.2%). While the highest 5 (45.4%)
gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Izu Quarters parasitic infection was Diplydium caninum, followed
showed that the female dogs 11 (47.8%) was more by Ancylostoma caninum 3 (27.2%), Toxocara canis
infected than the male 16 (39.0%). However, the male 2 (18.1%) and the least infection was Trichuris vulpis
dogs were mostly infected with Ancylostoma 1 (9.0%) in the female dogs. In Ghana Quarters, the
caninum 13 (81.2%), followed by Toxocara canis 2 male dogs 9 (39.1%) were more infected than the
(12.5%) and the least infection was Diplydium female 7 (36.8%). The highest parasitic infection

41 Lemy et al.
 Int. J. Biosci. 2024

within the male dogs was Toxocara canis 5(55.5%), al. (2014) who recorded high prevalence of parasites
followed by Ancylostoma caninum 3 (33.3%) and the for female dogs. Also, male dogs in Ghana Quarters
least Diplydium caninum 1 (11.1%). Female dogs were (39.1%) were more infected. This result agrees with
mostly infected with Toxocara canis 4 (57.1%) and the findings of Mustapha et al. (2016) in Borno,
Diplydium caninum 3 (42.8%) (Table 3). Nigeria. Result obtained from this study revealed that
puppies and young dogs within the age group of 0-6
The age-related prevalence of zoonotic months and 7-11 months are more prone to parasitic
gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Izu Quarters infection than the adult dogs of more than 12 months.
showed that the puppies of age 0-6months 16 (50.0%) This result agrees with the findings of Iboh et al.
were more infected, followed by adult of more than 12 (2014) and Mustapha et al. (2016).
months of age 7 (35.0%) and the young dog of 7-11
months 5 (31.2%). Conclusion
The high prevalence of zoonotic parasites detected in
However in Ghana Quarters the young dogs of age 7-11 dog faeces sampled across the different communities in
months had the highest 5 (50.0%) parasitic infection, Obiaruku, Delta State showed that dogs in this area
followed by the puppies of age 0-6 months 8 (40.0%) poses a potential risk to human health with regards to
and the least infection occurred in adult dogs of more zoonosis. It is therefore necessary that policies that
than 12 month of age 3 (25.0%) (Table 4). would aim at vaccination and deworming of dogs should
be enforced in these areas. Therefore, this present study
Discussion also advocates for improved environmental and personal
The study recorded prevalence of 46.8% parasitic hygienic practices by dog owners, as it would reduce the
infections of dogs in the study area. Similar prevalence waste and other items that attract scavenging dogs and
has been documented in Zaria, Nigeria by Ogbaje et al. also help in eliminating expelled infected dog faeces
(2015). The level of infection may be attributed to poor from the environment.
treatment and veterinary care as reported by Dagmawi
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