Potential zoonotic parasites in dog feces and soil from public squares of Vitória da Conquista - Bahia

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the contamination of public squares in the urban area of Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, by potential zoonotic parasites  present in dog feces and soil. A total of 28 fecal and 30 soil samples  were collected in ten squares and analyzed at Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory of Federal University of Bahia. Fecal samples were analyzed by qualitative (flotation, spontaneous sedimentation, direct examination) and quantitative (modified Gordon and Whitlock technique, 1939) parasitological techniques. Soil samples were analyzed by qualitative (flotation and spontaneous sedimentation) and quantitative (modified Yanko technique, 1987) parasitological techniques. Parasitic contamination was presente in 35.7% and 6.7% of feces and soil samples, respectivelly. The most common parasite found in feces were

Toxocara canis (21.4%) Ancylostoma spp. (14.3%), Dipylidium caninum and Platynosomum sp. (3.6% for both). In the soil were found Toxocara canis, Ascaris sp. (3.3% for both) and Nematoda larvae (33.3%). In this way, this research creates an alert on the presence of parasites with zoonotic potential in feces and soil of Vitória da Conquista public squares that increases the  exposure of population to the risk of parasitic infections.