Intestinal parasites of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in Svalbard (Norway): Low prevalence and limited transmission with wildlife

The domesticated dogs (Canis lupus familiaris Linnaeus, 1758) are widely kept on all continents and could share the parasites with free-living animals. To understand the transmission of intestinal parasites between dogs kept on the four dog stations and wildlife in Svalbard, 170 faecal samples of dogs and 203 of wildlife included arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus Linnaeus, 1758, n=62); Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus Vrolik, 1829, n=106); sibling vole (Microtus levis Miller, 1908, n=63); pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus Baillon, 1834, n=30); little auk (Alle alle Linnaeus, 1758, n=49) and black-legged kittiwake (Risa tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758, n=18) were individually screened for the presence of intestinal parasites using microscopy and PCR/sequencing methods. Additionally, the results of the study were compared with previous studies performed in the same area. Roundworm Toxascaris leonina Linstow, 1902 was found microscopically and by PCR in a dog (n=1). The specific DNA of three species of parasitic protists was detected in dogs from different yards. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium canis Fayer, Trout, Xiao, Morgan, Lal and Dubey, 2001 (n=1), Encephalitozoon cuniculi Levaditi, Nicolau and Schoen, 1923 genotype II (n=4) and dog specific Enterocytozoon bieneusi Desportes, Le Charpentier, Galian, Bernard, Cochand-Priollet, Lavergne, Ravisse and Modigliani, 1985 genotypes (n=12). This study showed overall a low prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs in Svalbard and possible but minimal transmission with wildlife.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author