The prevalence of the helminth parasites of stray dogs in Ismailia City

*Corresponding author. Asmaa M.I. Abuzeid Tel.: +2 01094578925. E-mail address: asmaa_ibrahim@vet.suez.edu. eg Abstract: In a study on the parasites of stray dogs in Ismailia City, 50 stray dogs of different sexes and ages were humanely euthanized, necropsied, and examined for helminth parasites. Twenty helminths (14 trematodes, two cestodes, and four nematodes) were detected. The total prevalence of helminths was 100%, with trematodes (36%), cestodes (100%), and nematodes (34%). Of the recorded 14 trematodes, Pygidiopsis summa and Ascocotyle rara were recorded for the first time in Ismailia Province and might be for the first time among Egyptian dogs. The most prevalent trematode was Pygidiopsis genata (20%). The detected cestodes were Dipylidium caninum (100%) and Taenia hydatigena (10%). The recovered nematodes were Toxocara canis (20%), Toxascaris leonina (10%), Spirocerca lupi (10%), and Rictularia affinis (8%). There was a highly significant difference (p<0.01) in the prevalence of trematodes between different ages (60% in adults and 0% in young dogs). The prevalence of Toxocara canis was significantly higher (p< 0.05) in young dogs (40%) than in adult ones (6.7%). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the prevalence of the detected helminths with the sex of dogs. Histopathological examination of the lungs and oesophagus of dogs infected with Spirocerca lupi revealed chronic pneumonia, pulmonary alveolar emphysema, granulation tissue formation, and an early stage of fibroma in the oesophagus. All necropsied dogs were infected with at least one zoonotic helminth parasite. In conclusion, stray dogs in Ismailia City carry several helminth parasites, thus posing a risk for both human and companion dog populations.