O-43 The public health threat of human:dog zoonoses in the Caribbean
Author(s):
MLA Macpherson, W Sylvester, TP Noel, CNL Macpherson
Year of Presentation:
2023
Objective: Humans share 62 zoonotic infections with dogs of which 24 (38%) are helminths. Hookworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Toxocara pose a potential public health threat to locals and tourists visiting the region.
Methods: Evidence from the published literature and from unpublished theses which bring together recent human and canine studies revealed new species of zoonotic helminths in the region. Fecal samples from dogs were collected in 2020 were analysed using zinc sulphate flotation and by multiplex qPCR. Laboratory data from the Grenada General Hospital between 2006 to 2017 were reviewed. IgG ELISA was used to examine Toxocara antibodies in humans. These studies were conducted in Grenada.
Results: Human helminth infections included cases of S. stercoralis, Trichuris spp. and hookworm. 108 (46.5% 95% CI 40-52.9) of 232 dogs were found infected with a combination of Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara canis, and a few cases of Trichuris vulpis. Molecular studies revealed cases of A. ceylanicum providing the first record of this hookworm species in the region. S. stercoralis was also detected molecularly. 37% (95% CI 36-38) of 92 individuals tested by IgG ELISA for Toxocara antibodies were positive.
Conclusion: No human Toxocara syndromatic cases have been reported in Grenada and cutaneous larval migrans cases are rare. The newly described presence of A. ceylanicum in the region is important to note and this presentation aims to raise awareness of this newly discovered zoonosis. S. stercoralis could be an important human:dog zoonosis. Molecular studies are required to confirm the species of hookworm found in humans.