Prevalence of Capillaria spp. and other endoparasites of hunting dogs from southern Italy

Gastrointestinal and cardiopulmonary nematodes are frequently detected in dogs worldwide, posing a potential zoonotic risk. Some parasites, such as Capillaria aerophila and Capillaria boehmi, are often less considered being misdiagnosed with other trichurids. Here, we evaluated the occurrence of Capillaria spp. as well as of other endoparasites in hunting dogs from Basilicata region, Southern Italy. Individual faecal samples were collected from hunting dogs (n = 443) and examined by Mini-FLOTAC® flotation method. Additionally, 49 of the above samples were evaluated by the Baermann-Wetzel technique, and 90 sera samples were subjected to the Angio Detect™ test (IDEXX Laboratories Inc., Westbrook, Maine, USA). Out of 443 faecal samples, 251 (i.e., 56.6 %) scored positive for at least one parasite species, with hookworms being the most prevalent nematodes (i.e., 39.3 %), followed by C. aerophila (i.e., 20.5 %), Trichuris vulpis (i.e., 12.6 %) and Toxocara canis (i.e., 11.3 %). At the Baermann-Wetzel technique, 8.2 % (n = 4/49) of the faecal samples scored positive for Angiostrongylus vasorum, 4.1 % for Ancylostomatidae (n = 2/49) and 2.0 % for Strongyloides spp. (n = 1/49). A single serum sample scored positive for A. vasorum at the Angio Detect™ test. The results indicate that hunting dogs may harbour a high diversity of endoparasites, including those of zoonotic concern. Moreover, it is hypothesized that the occurrence of C. aerophila and C. boehmi may compromise the overall hunting performance due to the respiratory distress and impairment of scenting abilities. Therefore, control measures should be implemented to protect both dogs as well as humans living in close contact with them.