Environmental contamination by canine geohelminths

Abstract

Intestinal nematodes affecting dogs, i.e. roundworms, hookworms and whipworms, have a relevant health-risk impact for animals and, for most of them, for human beings. Both dogs and humans are typically infected by ingesting infective stages, (i.e. larvated eggs or larvae) present in the environment. The existence of a high rate of soil and grass contamination with infective parasitic elements has been demonstrated worldwide in leisure, recreational, public and urban areas, i.e. parks, green areas, bicycle paths, city squares, playgrounds, sandpits, beaches. This review discusses the epidemiological and sanitary importance of faecal pollution with canine intestinal parasites in urban environments and the integrated approaches useful to minimize the risk of infection in different settings.

Figure 1

Copromicroscopic examination of a puppy: microscopic field (10×) showing a high shedding of Toxocara canis eggs.

Figure 2

Indication for dog-owners in New York City, USA.

Figure 3

Beach area reserved for dogs in Broome, Australia.

Figure 4

Dog faeces in a green park of Dublin, Ireland (left) and in a public square of Padua, Italy (right).