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Endoparasite infection hotspots in Estonian urban areas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 November 2019

A. Tull Open the ORCID record for A. Tull [Opens in a new window] ,
E. Moks ,
L. Laurimaa ,
M. Keis  and
K. Süld
A. Tull*
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Estonia
E. Moks
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Estonia Department of Bacteriology-Pathology, Veterinary and Food Laboratory, Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwaldi 30, Tartu 51006, Estonia
L. Laurimaa
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Estonia Chair of Veterinary Bio- and Population Medicine, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51006, Estonia
M. Keis
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Estonia
K. Süld
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014, Estonia
*
Author for correspondence: A. Tull, E-mail: ants.tull@ut.ee
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Abstract

The human–animal bond is beneficial for human health, but companion animals also pose a potential threat as vectors of zoonotic parasites, especially in urban areas where both human and dog densities are high. However, the knowledge about parasitic spillover in the urban environment is relatively scarce. The aim of the present study was to reveal which factors determine parasitic contamination in Estonian towns and provide up-to-date information about intestinal parasites of the Estonian dog population. In total, 657 samples of dog excrement was collected over one year of investigation from five towns in Estonia. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate factors predicting infection risk in urban areas. In general, infection risk and intensity models predicted higher infection with endoparasites for small dogs in smaller towns, especially in apartment-house districts and in potential hazard zones. Helminth eggs and Giardia/Cystoisospora oocysts were detected in 64 samples, with an overall prevalence of 9.8%.

Keywords

DogToxocara spp.geohelminthsGiardiaCystoisosporazoonotic parasitespublic health
Type
Research Paper
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 94 , 2020 , e104
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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