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Molecular identification of zoonotic hookworms in dogs from four counties of Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2019

E. Mulinge Open the ORCID record for E. Mulinge [Opens in a new window] ,
S.M. Njenga ,
D. Odongo ,
J. Magambo ,
E. Zeyhle ,
C. Mbae ,
D. Kagendo ,
H. Kanyi ,
R.J. Traub  and
M. Wassermann
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E. Mulinge*
Affiliation:
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
S.M. Njenga
Affiliation:
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
D. Odongo
Affiliation:
School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
J. Magambo
Affiliation:
Meru University of Science and Technology, Meru, Kenya
E. Zeyhle
Affiliation:
Meru University of Science and Technology, Meru, Kenya
C. Mbae
Affiliation:
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
D. Kagendo
Affiliation:
Meru University of Science and Technology, Meru, Kenya
H. Kanyi
Affiliation:
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
R.J. Traub
Affiliation:
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
M. Wassermann
Affiliation:
Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
P. Kern
Affiliation:
University Hospital Ulm, Department of Medicine III, Ulm, Germany
T. Romig
Affiliation:
Parasitology Unit, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
*
Author for correspondence: E. Mulinge E-mail: erastusmulinge@yahoo.com
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Abstract

All canine hookworms are known to be zoonotic, causing infections ranging from transient skin irritations to prolonged ‘creeping eruptions’, eosinophilic enteritis and even patent intestinal infections. There is little information on canine hookworm species and their public health significance in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the prevalence and species of hookworms in dogs from different climatic zones of Kenya. Dog faecal samples were collected from the environment, and hookworm eggs were isolated by zinc chloride flotation and subjected to DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and 2, 5.8S and 28S ribosomal RNA of Ancylostoma spp. and Uncinaria stenocephala were performed, and hookworm species were identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) or DNA sequencing. Hookworm eggs were detected by microscopy in 490/1621 (30.23%, 95% CI 28.01–32.54) faecal samples. Estimates of faecal prevalence were high in counties receiving higher rainfall (Narok 46.80%, Meru 44.88%) and low in those with a more arid climate (Isiolo 19.73%, Turkana 11.83%). In a subset of 70 faecal samples, Ancylostoma caninum (n = 59) was the most common species, followed by A. braziliense (n = 10) and A. cf. duodenale (n = 1). This study reports for the first time the detection of A. cf. duodenale in dog faeces and zoonotic hookworm species in Kenyan dogs. These findings emphasize the need for control measures such as enforcing laws for restraining stray dogs, regular deworming of dogs, and public health awareness programmes aimed at informing communities on outdoor use of footwear.

Keywords

Ancylostoma brazilienseAncylostoma caninumAncylostoma duodenaledogshookworm speciesKenya
Type
Research Paper
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 94 , 2020 , e43
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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