Evaluation of the prevalence of intestinal protozoa in dogs of Tabriz city

Subject Areas : Veterinary Clinical Pathology

hossein Hashemzade Farhang ^{1 *}

1 - Departement of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

Received: 2017-02-20 Accepted : 2017-02-20 Published : 2018-08-23

Keywords: Tabriz, Dog, Intestinal protozoa,

Abstract :

Intestinal protozoa in dogs have a fairly large variety, and infection is often subclinical and sometimes clinical. Different species such as Entamoeba spp., Isospora oocysts and Cryptosporidium spp can be seen in the dog’s intestine. Due to the importance of pathogenic protozoan parasites in the intestines of dogs and their zoonotic importance, this study was conducted on stray dogs in Tabriz city. This study was carried out from August 2015 to 2016, for a period of 12 months. During this study, one hundred fecal samples of dogs were obtained from different regions of Tabriz city and then microscopic parasitological examination was performed. Samples were condensed with formal ether, and also, to observe different protozoan parasites and Cryptosporidium spp. trichrome and modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining was used respectively. From one hundred examined stool samples, 54% were infected with various types of protozoa including Entamoeba hystolica, Entamoeba coli, Isospora, Sarcocystis and Cryptosporidium spp. In all age groups, Entamoeba hystolica and Cryptosporidium spp. had the highest and  lowest infection prevalence respectively. Given the high prevalence rate of protozoan infection, providing necessary awareness and training to dog owners by veterinarians can greatly prevent the spread of disease in humans and animals.

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