Abstract.
A total of 112 stray and semi-stray dogs (Canis familiaris) from four different geographical areas in northern and middle Jordan were necropsied to evaluate the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminthiasis. Of these, 33 dogs (29.5%) were infected with Echinococcus granulosus and 61 (54.5%) with other Taenia species. Other cestodes found included Dipylidium caninum in 36 dogs (32.1%), Diplopylidium in 6 dogs (5.4%), Mesocestoides sp. in 3 dogs (2.7%) and Joyuexiella in 1 dog (0.9%). Toxocara nematodes were found in 10 dogs (9.2%) and only 1 dog was positive for acanthocephalans. Among the dogs infected with E. granulosus, 8 dogs (24.2%) had a worm load higher than 1,000 worms. The ratio of infected male to female dogs was 1.9:1.0. Strain analysis of E. granulosus using random primers revealed the dominance of the G1 strain (sheep/dog strain) in the region. Only one dog harbored another E. granulosus strain, which resembled the G4 strain pattern.
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Acknowledgements.
The authors which to thank A. Qaqish, F. Atrouz, N. Singilawy and L. Al-Shalabi for technical assistance. This work received financial support from the European Commission (EC Contract IC18-CT98-0354) and Yarmouk University Research Council.
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Al-Qaoud, K.M., Abdel-Hafez, S.K. & Craig, P.S. Canine echinococcosis in northern Jordan: increased prevalence and dominance of sheep/dog strain. Parasitol Res 90, 187–191 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-002-0793-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-002-0793-2