Detection of zoonotic helminths in stray dogs in Ulaanbaatar

Abstract

Background: Many zoonotic diseases such as coenurosis, echinococcosis, and cysticercosis have been reported in the Mongolian population and livestock, but few research has been done to identify the pathogen. According to the mayor’s ofÏce, an average of 100,000 stray dogs has been destroyed in Ulaanbaatar over the past five years. Aim: To detect helminthic zoonotic infections in stray dogs of Ulaanbaatar. Materials and Methods: At the Tsagaan Davaa waste disposal site, 216 stray dogs destroyed in June-August 2020 were dissected, the small intestine was sampled, the contents were analyzed sedimentation and counting technique. Morphological macro and micro measurements were made on the detected helminths and the type was determined using the helminth identification key. Results: Taenia spp. 29.2% (63/216), Echinococcus spp. 9.7% (21/216), Mesocestoides spp. 35.2% (76/216), Toxocara spp. (Toxascaris spp.) 20.4%, (44/216) Macracanthrorhynchus spp. 5.6% (12/216) were infected. All five of these helminths are zoonotic. 43.5% (94/216) of helminthic infected dogs were single helminthic infections and 23.6% (54/216) were co-infected. Conclusions: 1. The helminth fauna of stray dogs in Ulaanbaatar consists of 5 genera of zoonotic helminths, which are Taenia spp, Echinococcus spp, Mesocestoides spp, Toxocara spp and Macracanthrorhynchus spp, and the infection rate is 9.7%35.2%. 2. In a dog, 1-4 genus of helminths are present single or co-infection, with an intensity of 1-254.