Smith A F, Rock M, Neumann N, Massolo A
Department of Ecosystem and Public Health,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Calgary,Alberta,Canada.
Environmental Health,School of Public Health,University of Alberta,Alberta,Canada.
Epidemiol Infect. 2015 Nov;143(15):3277-91. doi: 10.1017/S0950268815000400. Epub 2015 Apr 13.
Giardia spp. is a common gastrointestinal (GI) parasite of multiple host species, including dogs and humans, with the potential for zoonotic transmission. The risk of GI parasitism in dogs (including Giardia spp.) may increase with park use in urban areas. This study aimed to (1) determine whether park attendance is a risk factor for Giardia spp. infection in dogs and (2) characterize the behavioural and demographic risk factors for Giardia spp. infection in park-attending and non-park-attending dogs. From August to September 2012, a total of 1293 dog owners completed a survey and 860 corresponding dog faecal samples were collected. Dog faeces were screened for Giardia spp. using a direct immunofluorescence assay and associations assessed among behaviours, demographics, and Giardia spp. infection. Main results included off-leash and swimming frequencies within parks as significantly positively associated with Giardia spp. infection in dogs. Dog-owner age was negatively associated with off-leash and swimming frequencies in parks. The results suggest some recreational behaviours in parks and certain demographics are risk factors for parasitism in pet dogs.
贾第虫属是多种宿主物种（包括狗和人类）常见的胃肠道寄生虫，具有人畜共患传播的可能性。在城市地区，狗（包括贾第虫属）感染胃肠道寄生虫的风险可能会随着公园使用频率的增加而上升。本研究旨在：（1）确定去公园是否是狗感染贾第虫属的一个风险因素；（2）描述去公园和不去公园的狗感染贾第虫属的行为和人口统计学风险因素。2012年8月至9月，共有1293名狗主人完成了一项调查，并收集了860份相应的狗粪便样本。使用直接免疫荧光法对狗粪便进行贾第虫属筛查，并评估行为、人口统计学和贾第虫属感染之间的关联。主要结果包括在公园内不拴绳和游泳的频率与狗感染贾第虫属显著正相关。狗主人的年龄与在公园内不拴绳和游泳的频率呈负相关。结果表明，公园内的一些娱乐行为和某些人口统计学特征是宠物狗感染寄生虫的风险因素。
