Endoparasites of Stray Dogs in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province,

Background: To find out different species of helminthes and blood/tissue pro-tozoan parasites of stray dogs and their potential role for transmission of zoonotic species to human in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, northeast Iran, during 2008-2009. Methods: Totally, 100 stray dogs were selected among Mashhad municipal collec-tion from different sites of the city. Internal organs were examined for any para-sites. Helminthes were identified based on morphological characteristics. Smears prepared from peripheral blood as well as liver, spleen and any skin lesion were stained by Giemsa and examined microscopically. Samples obtained from spleen were aseptically cultured in three culture media including NNN, Schneider’s Dro-sophila (HIMEDIA) and RPMI1640 (GIBCO) for isolation of Leishmania spp. The titer of anti-Leishmania and anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were measured by direct ag-glutination test (DAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), respectively. Results: 84 % of dogs were infected at least with one species of intestinal hel-minthes. The species of parasites and rate of infection were as follows: Taenia hydatigena (61%), Dipylidium caninum (46%), Mesocestoides lineatus (19%), Echinococcus granulosus (10%), Toxascaris leonina (53%) and Toxocara canis (7%). Anti-Leishmani