title: Intestinal parasites of owned dogs and cats from metropolitan and micropolitan areas: prevalence, zoonotic risks, and pet owner awareness in northern Italy.
abstract: Intestinal parasites of dogs and cats are cosmopolitan pathogens with zoonotic potential for humans. Our investigation considered their diffusion in dogs and cats from northern Italy areas, specifically the metropolitan area of Milan and two micropolitan areas of neighboring provinces. It included the study of the level of awareness in pet owners of the zoonotic potential from these parasites. A total of 409 fresh fecal samples were collected from household dogs and cats for copromicroscopic analysis and detection of Giardia duodenalis coproantigens. The assemblages of Giardia were also identified. A questionnaire about intestinal parasites biology and zoonotic potential was submitted to 185 pet owners. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites resulted higher in cats (47.37%-60.42%) and dogs (57.41%-43.02%) from micropolitan areas than that from the metropolis of Milan (dogs: P = 28.16%; cats: P = 32.58 %). The zoonotic parasites infecting pets under investigation were T. canis and T. cati, T. vulpis, Ancylostomatidae, and G. duodenalis assemblage A. Only 49.19% of pet owners showed to be aware of the risks for human health from canine and feline intestinal parasites. Parasitological results in pets and awareness determination in their owners clearly highlight how the role of veterinarians is important in indicating correct and widespread behaviors to reduce risks of infection for pets and humans in urban areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio Aurelio
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Zanzani
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia Libera
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gazzonis
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2316-1929
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Università di Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berrilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9623-9475
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Manfredi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D016829:Giardia lamblia / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission*; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D010271:Parasites / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity