Captive dogs as reservoirs os some zoonotic pathogens

Abstract EN

In the present study two groups of stray adults and puppies dogs were captive in small boxes for special drug trial.

After 3 months the dog attendants complained with gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhea weakness, headache and fever.

In the same time, some dogs are suffering from diarrhea also.

Investigation of these cases revealed infection by several pathogens isolated from both attendants and dogs.

Endameba histolytic a, Giardia (trophozoites & cysts) and Isopoda species oocytes were diagnosed in feces of 20%, 20% and 26.6% respectively in attendants closely contact to dogs.

Anti-Toxocara canes, anti-Sarcocystis and anti-hydrated cysts antibodies were diagnosed in 20%, 33.3% and 46.66%o respectively in sera of attendants using ELISA.

Puppies and dogs were infected by Toxascaris leonine (20% & 16.66 %), Dipylidium cranium (53.33% & 66.66%) and Tania spp.

eggs (26.6% & 50%).

Giardia (53.33%), E.

histolytic a (13.33%), Toxocara canes (33.3%), Isopoda (53.3%) and Cryptosporidium oocytes (20%) were diagnosed in puppies only.

Two adult dogs (16.66 %) are shed Sarcocystis oocyte and Ancylostoma cranium eggs in their feces.

Bacteriological examination of fecal swabs evidenced infection by 3 enteric bacteria in attendants, puppies and dogs.

Salmonella (20%, 33.3% & 41.66%), Campylobacter (13.3%, 33.3% & 33.3%) and enter toxigenic E.coli (46.66%, 46.66% & 58.33%).

Serotyping of these bacteria revealed presence of S.

typhimurium in dogs (60%) and attendants (66.6%), S.enteritidis in one of the worker as well as 8 untapped strains.

Two serotypes of C.

jejune in 2 workers and 4 dogs, E.

coli in 3 dogs, while 2 untapped isolates were recorded in dogs.

Three serotypes of E.

coli (026, O 76, O 55) and two untapped strains were isolated from workers and dogs.

Moreover two isolates (O 5 & O 111) were isolated from dogs only.

The isolates showed high sensitivity for Gentamycin (10 fig).

The study recommended some precautions to minimize the role of captive dogs as a potential source of zoonotic pathogens.