Epidemiological Survey on Stray Dogs and Cats Gastro-Intestinal Parasites in Kirkuk province , Iraq

Gastro-intestinal parasites (GIPs) of stray dogs and cats play an epidemiological critical role, and also play a major role in transmitting through contamination of soil, food and/or drinking water with GIPs faecals. The objective of this study was to screening the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in stray dogs and cats in Kirkuk province, Iraq. Fresh faecal specimens (n=125) of stray dogs and cats were collected during 15th February 2015 till 15th February 2016 from different regions of Kirkuk province. The experimental processing were carried out within 24 h.s using flotation techniques, and stained using Ziehl– Neelsen, trichrome and iodine staining technique protocols. The overall significant prevalence of GIPs among stray dogs (n=77) was 84.42%, these were Toxocara canis (25.98%), Diphylobotherium latum (23.38%), Isospora spp. (20.78%), Dipylidium caninum (16.88%), Taenia hydatigera (14.29%), Echinicoccus spp. (6.49%), Mesocestoides spp. (6.49%), Cryptosporidium spp. (6.49%), Ancylostoma caninum (2.59%) and Stongyloides sp. (1.3%). Of 48 stray cats faecal specimens subjected to the present study, 77.08% were positive for GIPs significantly, including Toxocara cati (39.58%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (22.92%), Taenia taeniaeformis (14.58%), Toxascaris leonina (6.25%), Diphylobotherium latum (6.25%), Cryptosporidium spp. (27.08%), Isospora spp. (10.41%) and Toxoplasma gondii (8.33%(. Kirkuk University Journal /Scientific Studies (KUJSS) Volume 13, Issue 1, March 2018, pp. (228-238) ISSN 1992 – 0849 Web Site: uokirkuk.edu.iq/kujss, E-mail: kujss@uokirkuk.edu.iq 229 Among infected stray dogs Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum are the commonest GIPs in the present study. While, Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme are the most prevalence among stray cats in Kirkuk province. Among infected stray dogs Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum are the commonest GIP in the present study. While, Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme are the most prevalence among stray cats in Kirkuk province.


Introduction
Stray dogs and cats are considered as domestic animals, and frequently infected by gastrointestinal parasites.Moreover, several canine and feline hosts may carry several zoonotic pathogenic infectious intestinal parasites that caused potential health hazards [1].The parasitic zoonoses of dogs and cats, such as Toxocara canis, Giardia intestinalis, Neospora caninum, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus granulosus are common incidence [2,3].The epidemiological studies revealed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites among dogs and cats worldwide is vary, and might be dependent on geographical distribution , habits of the local animal populations and season of the year.The prevalence of the intestinal parasites in stray animals is higher than the pets [4].
The most tangible of the prevalence of these intestinal parasites is the cost of expensive medical treatment for human cases.In many countries, echinococcosis is a major public health problem and can cause severe morbidity and mortality in humans.As a result, economic losses occur for the individual, family, and society.In addition, echinococcosis infects slaughtered animals, which leads to further economic losses [5,6].
The present investigation was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal zoonotic parasites in dogs and cats, and to ascertain the awareness about canine and feline parasite zoonoses in Kirkuk province.

 Parasitological Procedure
Each fresh faecal specimen was examined for intestinal parasites separately, using a faecal flotation enrichment technique [7].In brief, pea size of faeces were collected from each specimen, mixed with 20 ml of potassium iodomercurate then filtered.five ml volume test tube was fulfilled with the filtrate, covered with a proper cover slip and centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 5 min.Gently, the cover slip was transmitted onto a glass slide, marked with the necessary data of the specimen, stained by the modified Ziehl -Neelson technique.
The prepared smears were completely examined for Cryptosporidium spp.oocysts using a compound microscope, as described by [8].For detection of stages of gastro-intestinal parasitic protozoa, smears of specimen were prepared and stained with trichrome / iodine dyes [9].Each parasite stage was counted using 40x magnification.For ova and larvae detection, 100x and 400x magnifications were used.Web Site: uokirkuk.edu.iq/kujss,E-mail: kujss@uokirkuk.edu.iq

 Analysis of Results
The data obtained from the fecal specimens collected dogs and cats were tested and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0.The chi-square (χ 2 ) test was confirmed to assess difference in the frequency of the intestinal parasites between the groups.In all the analysis, confidence interval was depended at 95% and statistical analyses were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05.

Results:
The present investigation was carried out to determine the prevalence of GIP s in stray dogs and cats in Kirkuk province, Northern of Iraq.The overall investigated samples was 125.Fig.
( and Toxoplasma gondii (8.33%) Fig ( 2).As shown in Table (1) the GIP s infections with the exception of T. canis and E. granulosus were found to be more prevalence in adults than in puppies.
However, no significant difference was observed in the overall investigation of GIP s infections among subjected two group dogs to the current stud .

Discussion
The zoonotic diseases and foodborne infections and intoxications are responsible for great economic losses, particularly in meat, milk and other food and products of animal origin, and that cost-effective analysis is indispensable as part of preparations for planning effective control schemes [10,11].In the present study, the overall prevalence of stray dogs and cats Web Site: uokirkuk.edu.iq/kujss,E-mail: kujss@uokirkuk.edu.iq236 similar to previous reported in Baghdad city; 25.7%, 5% and 9.6%, respectively [22] 'in Baghdad city'.
The broad prevalence of these helminthes and/or protozoa among dogs and cats in Kirkuk province is an indication of lacking the hygienic awareness of the population that lead to environmental contamination with eggs and/or larvae of the zoonotic parasites.Where restaurant workers, local unauthorized butchers, fish sellers and people rids the slaughtered animal and fish remains offal's carelessly ignoring the risk of possibility of transmitting parasites eggs and/or larvae to stray dogs and cats, subsequently completing their life cycles.
Hence, preventive measures should be implemented by the local health authority with the related parties represented in strictly intervened to avoid hazards of this unhygienic phenomenon.

Volume 13, Issue 1, March 2018, pp. (228-238) ISSN 1992 -0849 Web
This survey was established in Kirkuk province during 15 th February 2015 until 15 th February 2016.Disparately, faecal specimens of stray (77) dogs Canis spp.and (48) cats Felis Site: uokirkuk.edu.iq/kujss,E-mail: kujss@uokirkuk.edu.iq231 2. Materials and Method  Study Area The present study was carried out in the Biology Department, advance research laboratories, College of Science, Kirkuk University, Kirkuk Province, Iraq.The study areas were included 18 different sectors of Kirkuk center.catus were collected from 18 different regions.The collected specimens were kept in sealed dark plastic bags, labeled with necessary data, such as time, date, quarter, and kept in icebox in situ, then transferred directly to the advance parasitic laboratory of the Biology Department, College of Science, Kirkuk University, and stored at 4 C ° until laboratory examinations processing.

Table ( 1
): Incidence of the observed GIPs species by age groups of dogs based on fecal coproscopic examination.
Diphylobotherium latum (6.25%) and Cryptosporidium spp.(27.08%) were the most prevalence among stray cats in Kirkuk province.In the present study, data revealed that the overall prevalence of stray dogs and cats GIPs was 84.42% and 77.06%, respectively, and This is a very high risk level of infection prevalence that required reconsider in developing a rapid strategy to control the spread of the parasitic infection hazards.Encourage further more studies on GIPs, such as echinococcosis in different parts of the country to assess its importance as a cause of human health hazard..