HIGH PREVALENCE OF ANCYLOSTOMA SPP INFECTION IN DOGS, ASSOCIATED WITHENDEMIC FOCUS OF HUMAN CUTANEOUS LARVA MIGRANS, IN TACUAREMBO, URUGUAY

A helminthological survey of the intestinal parasites in stray dogs wa s conducted in urban and suburban area of Tacuarembo, Uruguay, during winter time. Eight stray dogs captured in the city were necropsied, Se venty nine dogs (98.8%) were positive for helminth infection. Seventy seven (96.3%) were parasitized by hookworms. Two species of hookworms were found: Ancylostoma caninum 96.3% and A. braziliense 49.4%. This i s the first report of the prevalence of A. braziliense in Uruguay. Con sidering that incidences of human cutaneous larva migrans caused by th e migration of hookworms larvae were restricted mainly io the northern part of Uruguay and that only A. caninum were reported to be prevalen t in the southern part, it is supposed that A. braziliense is the prim ary causative agent of human cutaneous larva migrans in Uruguay.