Detection of intestinal helminth infections among domesticated and sheltered dogs in selected areas of Metro Manila and Laguna

Intestinal helminthiasis is a disease of poverty that remains to be a public health concern in developing countries including the Philippines. It is caused by gastrointestinal parasites that transmit intestinal helminth infections to mammalian hosts through exposure to contaminated soil either by ingestion of the infective stage or skin penetration. Some of these intestinal helminths have zoonotic potential to infect humans and animals and contaminate the environment. Dogs and other mammalian species that have close association and co-inhabiting with humans may serve as a reservoir host and offers a venue for zoonotic spread of these parasites. Despite the availability of some reports, the zoonotic importance of these intestinal helminths and the role of animals in the transmission are very limited and scarce in the Philippines. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections among domesticated and sheltered dogs in selected areas in Metro Manila and Laguna. 100 stool samples were collected and analyzed using Direct Fecal Smear and Formalin-Ether Concentration Technique (FECT). The overall prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 79%. Out of these, 49% were recorded from domesticated dogs with 31% single infections and 18% co-infections while 30% were recorded from sheltered dogs with 15% single infections and 15% co-infections. Six zoonotic parasites were identified from domesticated and sheltered dogs with high predominance and intensity of Toxocara canis with 50% (50/100). It was then followed by Taenia spp. and Trichuris vulpis, both with a 21% (21/100), succeeded by Ascaris spp. 14% (14/100), hookworm 8% (8/100) and fasciolid eggs as the least. The sub-urban area of Binan, Laguna had the highest prevalence rate of 88% as compared to the urban areas of Muntinlupa City (80%), Pasig City (80%) and Quezon City (68%). These dogs have been observed to be parasitic reservoirs of zoonotic helminthiasis that can cause the spread of an array of parasites and pose a threat to human public health. Therefore, there is an immediate need for more researches and innovative procedures to allow accurate and proper identification of zoonotic helminths which will be significant prerequisites to promote awareness and develop effective long-term strategies to prevent, control and eliminate intestinal helminthiasis in the Philippines