Prevalence and public health implications of Echinococcus granulosus in rural dogs in Eastern Nigeria.

Prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection in rural dogs in Eastern Nigeria was determined. Of the 182 dogs examined, 8 (4.4%) had Echinococcus granulosus infection. The number of Echinococcus granulosus recovered was 80, of which 16 (20%) were from faeces and 64 (80%) were derived from intestinal mucosa. Of the localities surveyed, Eke-Uke had the highest number of infected dogs, 13 out of 38 (34.3%). The females accounted for 94 out of 182 dogs (51.6%) examined, while 98 (53.8%) were males. E. granulosus was present in 7 out of 94 (7.4%) females and in 10 out of 98 (10.2%) males. Parts of the body of thd dogs (anal region, outside of the mouth and coat) examined were positive for taeniid ova. Other cestodes recovered were Taenia hydategina, Taenia ovis, and Taenia pisiformis.