VetSRev
Database of veterinary systematic reviews
Database of veterinary systematic reviews
Parasit Vectors (2018) 11: 100
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2688-9
BACKGROUND: Dogs have a close association with humans providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein. However, dogs are also potential carriers of zoonotic pathogens. Dogs, therefore, pose a public health risk and a good understanding of canine diseases is important for planning and implementing control measures. The aim of this study was to characterise canine helminthiasis in sub-Saharan Africa using a systematic approach. METHODS: Pubmed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant primary studies published from 2000. Forty-one eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled prevalences were estimated using the quality effects model. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-six genera of enteric helminths were reported and the pooled estimate of canine helminthiasis was 71% (95% CI: 63-79%). Species of Ancylostoma and Toxocara, causative agents of larva migrans in humans, were the most frequently reported helminths with pooled estimated prevalences of 41% (95% CI: 32-50%) and 22% (95% CI: 16-29%), respectively. Dipylidium caninum and Taenia spp. were the most frequently reported cestodes with pooled estimated prevalences of 20% (95% CI: 12-29%) and 9% (95% CI: 5-15%), respectively. Trematodes were rarely reported. There was a high level of heterogeneity in most pooled estimates (I(2) ˃ 80%). The results of this study show that canine helminthiasis is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and there is need for regular deworming programmes to improve the health status of the dogs and minimise the potential health risk to humans.
Chidumayo, N. N. (2018). Epidemiology of canine gastrointestinal helminths in sub-Saharan Africa. Parasit Vectors, 11(1), 100. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2688-9 Animals, Dogs, *Meta-analysis, Prevalence, Feces/parasitology, *Dogs, Review Literature as Topic, *Prevalence, *Epidemiology, interests. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to, jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations., Africa South of the Sahara/epidemiology, Dog Diseases/*epidemiology/parasitology, *Helminths, *Sub-Saharan Africa, Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary, Gastrointestinal Tract/*parasitology, Helminthiasis, Animal/*epidemiology/parasitology, Helminths/*isolation & purification, Not applicable. COMPETING INTERESTS: The author declares that she has no competing