Prevalence of Helminthes Infection of Stray Dogs in Ilam Province

Stray dogs are considered as an important health problem in societies because they can carry dangerous diseases such as hydatidosis, toxocariasis and coenurus cerebralis to humans and animals. Therefore, the study of helminthes infections in all parts of Iran for evaluation of infection state, and provision of the infection control programs is essential. The aim of this study, was to determine the prevalence of parasitic cestodes in stray dogs around Ilam city. In this study, 65 stray dogs were killed by shooting with the municipality officers and were dissected considering health rules. After laparotomy, internal organs are inspected, and bowels completely collected in separate containers containing 10% formaldehyde. Transferring the samples to the parasitological laboratory, the bowels were cut using forceps, and its contents passed through the sieve, and the worms were separated. Azo carmine & carminic acid staining was used for diagnosis of isolated cestodes. The number of 65 dogs, 54 dogs (83%) had at least one species of cestodes; that 32% (21 dogs) infected by Taenia ovis, 9% (6 dogs) by Echinococcus granulosus, 15.4% (10 dogs) by Taenia hydatigena, 20% (13 dogs) by Taenia multiceps, 18.5 /% (12 dogs) by Dipylidium caninum and 10.8% (7 dogs) by Mesocestoides lineatus. In this study, it was shown that helminthic rate in stray dogs is very high around Ilam. These parasites are important in terms of health and economic aspects. Therefore, it is more essential that we note to parasitic infections, to develop control programs. Key word: Stray dogs; cestodes; Iran; health INTRODUCTION The dog is an advantageous animal and it is needed for ranch preservation in many areas; human infection with its intestinal parasites is one of the most important issues in parasitology. Most parasites that are transmitted to humans are common between humans and animals (Zoonosis) and humans and animals are affected by the larval stage [1-3]. Canine intestinal parasites may cause major diseases such as hydatidosis, coenurus cerebralis and visceral larva migrans in humans and animals that cause the health and economic losses to society [4-7]. Unfortunately, despite the great efforts, national and international investments, and the improvement of health standards, the infection rate of these diseases has not been reduced due to the lack of changes at epidemiological and ecological conditions; yet, as a major health problem, it is allocated to an important part of social activities. There are different reports for the canine helminthic parasites in different parts of the world such as Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE [8]. Multiple studies have been conducted in Iran and several results are obtained. They include the studies of stray dogs in Mashhad, Hamadan, Kashan, Ardestan, Isfahan, Shiraz, and many other areas [9-14]. Most cestode’s eggs are similar; therefore, genus and species of the parasites could not be diagnosed by studying on feces of dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Journal of Paramedical Sciences (JPS) Spring 2013 Vol.4, No.2 ISSN 2008-4978 48 intestinal worms in the Ilam stray using dissection