title: Multiple zoonotic pathogens identified in canine feces collected from a remote Canadian indigenous community.
abstract: Five genera of potentially zoonotic bacteria and parasites were detected in environmentally collected fecal samples from a remote indigenous community in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Organisms identified include Toxocara canis, Echniococcus granulosus, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Campylobacter spp. The prevalence and intensity of Giardia spp. and Campylobacter spp. in fecal samples was particularly remarkable. Three-quarters of samples tested contained at least one zoonotic species of Campylobacter, and C. jejuni-containing feces had an average of 2.9 x 10(5) organisms/g. Over one-half of samples tested contained Giardia spp. with an average of 9,266 cysts/g. Zoonotic G. duodenalis Assemblage A was the only Giardia spp. genotype identified. These data suggest that canine feces have the potential to pose a significant health risk to Canadians in rural and remote indigenous communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. chelsea.himsworth@usask.ca
authors.forename: Chelsea G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Himsworth
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chaban
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Brent A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: N Jane
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Leighton
authors.forename: R C Andrew
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002170:Canada; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D005872:Giardia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D044382:Population Groups; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology*