Zoonotic Risk Assessment of Hookworm and Toxocara spp. Infection in Soil Samples and Evaluation of Efficacy of Commonly Used Anthelmintics in Dogs

Abstract

In the present study efficacy of pyrantel and fenbendazole were studied in canines against hookworm infections. Therapeutic evaluation of anthelmintic showed 98.32% ± 0.73 efficacy for Pyrantel pamoate and 92.28% ± 3.54 efficacy for Fenbendazole against hookworms and can be utilised for the effective treatment of hookworm disease in canines. In present study soil/sand sample were collected from twenty different sites such as parks (9) and beaches (11) in the Mumbai region showed 45.0%prevalence of helminthic eggs such as hookworm and Toxocara eggs. The present study has added significance as some of the gastrointestinal parasites, recorded in the present study are of public health importance. Interventions, those are need of this hour should focus on health education provided to dog owners, strategic deworming of dogs using broad spectrum anthelmintic and proper sanitation and hygiene.