Surveillance of tapeworm in coyotes and domestic dogs in Winnipeg, Manitoba: Abstract.

BACKGROUND

The species, including are tapeworms that primarily infect canids such as dogs, foxes and coyotes, but which can also infect humans. In humans, can cause alveolar echinococcosis; a serious condition that mimics metastatic malignancy and has a poor prognosis. It is known that coyotes in rural Manitoba are infected with species, but it is not known if coyotes in peri-urban areas are also infected.

OBJECTIVES

To document and map species in wild canids and domestic dogs in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada).

METHODS

There were 169 fecal samples collected between April 18 and June 1, 2018. These included 44 samples of domestic dog feces, 122 of coyote scat, one of fox scat and two of coyote colonic tissue specimens. Samples were frozen (-80°C) for at least 72 hours to inactivate tapeworm ova. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of were performed on all frozen samples.

RESULTS

positive samples were detected in nine (10.6%) of 85 locations, with one positive sample in a suburban Winnipeg dog park and two positive samples in a popular provincial park. No dog samples were positive for one sample was positive for . In contrast, nine coyote samples (7.3%) were positive for and eight samples (6.5%) were positive for The one fox sample was positive for each. Overall, six samples (3.6%) were positive for both infections.

CONCLUSION

This is the first confirmation of the presence of in coyote feces in the metropolitan area of Winnipeg, Manitoba. In light of the risk this could pose to domestic dogs and human health, periodic surveillance that maps the distribution of this tapeworm could inform the need for additional public health actions.