Neglected zoonotic helminthiases in wild canids: new insights from South America

The global threat of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) constitutes a public health issue in underdeveloped countries. Zoonotic helminthiases are the most common human NTD agents developing countries sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Americas, causing burden disease that exceeds more recognized infectious such as malaria tuberculosis. Wild canids well-known mammals act natural reservoirs zoonotic-relevant helminthiasis worldwide, thus playing pivotal role their epidemiology transmission to humans. Here we evaluate occurrence zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths two Neotropical wild canid species from Amazonian Andean regions Colombia, i.e., bush dog ( Speothos venaticus ) crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous ). We recovered tapeworm proglottids fecal samples identified them molecularly canine-specific lineage Dipylidium caninum by using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I cox1 gene sequences. Moreover, examination during necropsy revealed presence non-embryonated eggs nematode Lagochilascaris cf. minor , addition gravid cestode Spirometra mansoni . These findings represent first report cestodes, D (“canine genotype”), S. L. dogs foxes final hosts. these calls for regular monitoring programs better understand routes dipylidiasis, lagochilascariosis, sparganosis South America.