COMPARATIVE-STUDIES OF THE HELMINTH STATU S OF STRAY DOGS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR HUMAN HEALTH

Between March 1990 and May 1991 the parasitic status of stray dogs in Turkey and Egypt was determined. In Ankara, 160 faecal samples and 60 intestinal tracts were investigated. In Beni Suef, 172 samples were co llected and 125 in Giza/Cairo. The faecal examinations were carried ou t using the same methodology employed in the Ovassay(R). In the Turkis h sample 58.1 per cent of the faeces samples and 93.3 per cent of dige stive tracts were infested. The most common cestodes were Echinococcus and Taenia at rates of 8.1, 3.3 and 50 per cent. Dipylidium caninum w as present in 2.5 per cent of faecal samples and in 43.3 per cent of i ntestinal tracts. In addition Toxocara leonina and Toxocara canis were notable among the nematodes. In Beni Suef, the infection rates of Tae nia and Echinococcus were 28.5 and 6.98 per cent. The prevalence of T. canis was high (27.9 per cent), lower prevalences of hookworms (18 per cent) and T.leonina (13.9 per cent) were observed. In Giza/Cairo T.le onina predominated at 15.2 per cent with similar low prevalences (2.4 per cent) of T.canis and Trichuris vulpis. With respect to the signifi cance of canine helminths for human health, special attention is requi red for Dipylidium caninum and Toxocara canis in addition to Echinococ cus.