title: Zoonotic potential of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. and prevalence of intestinal parasites in young dogs from different populations on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
abstract: The prevalence of Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and other intestinal parasites was determined in dogs <1 year old from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Fecal samples were collected from the local animal shelter (n=62), private veterinary clinics (n=78) and a pet store (n=69). Intestinal parasites isolated included G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxocara canis, Isospora spp. and Uncinaria stenocephala. To estimate the zoonotic risk associated with these infections, genotypes of G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. were determined using 16S rRNA and Hsp70 gene sequencing, respectively. Dogs from the pet store had the highest prevalence of intestinal parasites (78%, 95% CI: 68-88%), followed by the private veterinary clinics (49%, 95% CI: 37-60%), and the local animal shelter (34%, 95% CI: 22-46%). The majority G. duodenalis belonged to host-adapted assemblages D (47%, 95% CI: 31-64%) and C (26%, 95% CI: 13-43%), respectively. Zoonotic assemblages A and B were isolated alone or in mixed infections from 16% (95% CI: 6-31%) of G. duodenalis-positive dogs. All Cryptosporidium spp. were the host-adapted C. canis. While host-adapted, non-zoonotic G. duodenalis genotypes were more common, the presence of G. duodenalis assemblages A and B, T. canis, and U. stenocephala suggests that these dogs may present a zoonotic risk. The zoonotic risk from Cryptosporidium-infected dogs was minimal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. fuehlinger@upei.ca
authors.forename: Fabienne D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Uehlinger
authors.forename: Spencer J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: J Trenton
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Conboy
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: O'Handley
authors.forename: Herman W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Barkema
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005838:Genotype; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011325:Prince Edward Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000469:parasitology*
keywords: Cryptosporidium spp.; Dogs; Giardia duodenalis; Intestinal parasites; Zoonotic potential