The hypotheses challenged in this project were (1) people are the source for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pets, (2) risk factors for MRSA infection and carriage mirror those described in humans, (3) S. aureus continues to evolve on animals, (4) MRSA is carried by a substantial number of companion animals and (5) pets can be a reservoir for MRSA. Risk factors for MRSA pet infection were determined in a UK-wide case-control study enrolling dogs and cats with S. aureus infection (138 MRSA; 122 MSSA), their veterinary staff and owners. MRSA were typed and 12 paired human-animal isolates were compared by whole genome microarrays. MRSA carriage was examined in selected populations of dogs, cats and horses (n=1692) in the Greater London area and dog-to-dog transmission of MRSA was examined during an outbreak in a rescue kennel. Key findings were (a) an occupational risk for MRSA carriage in UK first opinion veterinary staff (9%), (b) antimicrobial therapy, surgery and admission to veterinary hospitals as major risk factors for pet MRSA infection; (c) human healthcareassociated lineages predominated amongst animals but (d) host-specific variation occurred within the same lineage, (e) MRSA carriage in the studied animal populations was low «1.5%), (f) "classical" risk factors were not involved in animal carriage but co-carriage of other staphylococci was protective against MRSA, (g) decolonisation occurred naturally and (h) dog-to-dog transmission was not observed. MRSA ST398 was identified from one horse, the first isolation from an animal in the UK. These findings support the concept that pets acquire MRSA primarily from people but are unlikely natural hosts for healthcare-associated MRSA. Therefore, rigorous personal and environmental hygiene combined with conscientious use of antimicrobial agents should be highly effective in veterinary clinics. Bacterial interference should be further investigated as a preventative measure. Vigilance is warranted as new strains may evolve on and spread between companion animals.

O ProMAC surgiu dentro da USP como resposta à demanda da comunidade, de abordar alguns problemas ambientais, inclusive a presença de cães errantes no campus. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo atender este programa no tocante à avaliação da dinâmica e da saúde da população de cães mantidos soltos na CUASO e dos cães recolhidos ao ATA. Utilizando a técnica de captura e recaptura fotográfica, a população de cães foi estimada em nove oportunidades ao longo de dois anos. No segundo ano, os cães dóceis foram individualmente identificados e, em quatro oportunidades, tiveram amostras biológicas coletadas (sangue, fezes e ectoparasitos). Os cães alojados no ATA foram identificados e as amostras coletadas em um único esforço contínuo ao longo de três meses. A estimativa da população errante variou entre 14 e 55 cães, com tendencia de queda não significativa ao longo do tempo. A população foi, em sua maioria composta de indivíduos machos (58,4%), adultos (77,8%) e dóceis (55,7%). A população errante apresentou alterações nos parâmetros hematológicos ao longo do ano, compatíveis com infecção subclínica, possivelmente causada por Hepatozoon canis, que teve aumento significativo de sua prevalência. Todos os cães foram negativos para Leishmania sp., Ricketsia sp., Erlichia sp. Não houve diferença significativa tanto para a SAM (Leptospira sp.,entre 14 e 50% - CUASO e 52,4% - ATA) quanto para a eliminação de ovos de Ancylostoma sp. nas fezes (entre 21 e 55% - CUASO e 27% - ATA) entre os cães da CUASO e do ATA, sendo o risco de infecção na comunidade universitária considerado baixo. A análise ambiental permitiu estabelecer que a fonte principal de alimento dos cães é a mesma dos humanos, fornecida próximo aos pontos de venda de alimentos, o que se torna preocupante ao sabermos que mais da metade destes cães são positivos para Toxoplasma sp. (entre 54 e 60%), sendo indicadores do risco ao ser humano. Os cães da população aversiva apresentam sinais reprodutivos (8,7% das fêmeas ao ano), mas os filhotes não foram encontrados possivelmente devido à baixa sobrevivência. Os adultos, tanto da população dócil como da população aversiva possuiam boa condição corporal, baixa mortalidade, sendo que os dóceis deixaram o campus mais frequentemente devido à adoção. O conjunto dos dados indicaram que o status sanitário dos cães alojados no abrigo foi semelhante àquela dos cães soltos, sendo que o bem-estar destes últimos foi maior, devido à condição precária em que o ATA era mantido, com a capacidade de alojamento de cães acima do limite máximo do abrigo. Como os cães da CUASO se distribuiam modulados pelo fornecimento de alimento e abrigo pelos usuários do campus, o manejo adequado destes cães deveria incluir o envolvimento da comunidade, além de sua responsabilização. A reprodução dos cães aversivos precisa ser eliminada, buscando métodos alternativos, devido à dificuldade de captura destes cães. O uso da área de mata destinada a pesquisa por estes cães representa um risco sanitário à comunidade universitária. / The ProMAC emerged within the University of São Paulo in response to a community demand, to address environmental problems, including the presence of stray dogs in its campus. This study aimed to address this program regarding the dynamics and health of the population of stray dogs in the campus and the dogs kept in the campus shelter. Using the technique of photographic mark and recapture, the dog population was estimated in nine occasions in a two years period. In the second year the docile dogs were individually identified and, on four occasions, had biological samples collected (blood, feces and ectoparasites). Dogs housed in the shelter were identified and biological samples were collected in a single effort over three months. The population estimates varied between 14 and 55 dogs, with a non-significant decrease trend over time. The population was mostly composed of males (58.4%), adults (77.8%) and docile individuals (55.7%). The stray population showed changes in hematological parameters throughout the year, consistent with subclinical infection, possibly caused by Hepatozoon canis, which had a significant increase in its prevalence. All dogs were negative for Leishmania sp., Rickettsia sp., Ehrlichia sp. There was no significant difference between either the MAT (Leptospira sp, between 14 and 50% -. campus and 52.4% - shelter) or the elimination of Ancylostoma sp. eggs in feces (between 21 and 55% - campus and 27% - shelter), between dogs from campus and shelter, and the risk of infection in the university community was considered low. Environmental analysis established that the stray dogs main food source are the human food given to them close to food selling points, which is a concern given that more than half of these dogs are positive for Toxoplasma sp. (from 54 to 60%) and would be risk indicators to humans. The aversive stray dogspopulation showed reproductive signs (8.7% of females per year), but the puppies were not found possibly due to low survival rate. Adults, both from docile and the aversive population, had good body condition, low mortality and the docile dogs left the campus more often due to adoption. The data indicated that the health of dogs housed in the shelter were similar to the stray population, and the welfare of the latter is higher due to the precarious condition that the shelter was maintained and the number of dogs kept being over the maximum capacity. As stray dogs were distributed and maintained by the food and shelter supplied by the campus users, the proper management of these dogs would include community involvement and responsibility. The reproduction of aversive dogs must be eliminated, seeking alternative methods, because of the difficulty of catching these dogs. Use of research forest area by these dogs poses a risk to the university community.

Animais silvestres constituíram sempre um problema de saúde pública pois podem servir de reservatórios para agentes etiológicos de doenças infecciosas com potencial zoonótico. As capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), animais comuns no Brasil, têm sido responsáveis tanto pela transmissão da febre maculosa (Rickettsia rickettsii) por meio do Amblyomma cajennense como também pela transmissão de leptospirose, leishmaniose, raiva, doença de Chagas, além de enterobactérias, doenças fúngicas e parasitárias. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a sanidade das capivaras. Trinta e uma capivaras, sob contenção físico-química e identificadas com microchip, foram submetidas a coletas de amostras de sangue, swab retal, fezes e pelos. Observou-se anemia microcítica normocrômica e eosinofilia em todos os animais. Os exames bioquímicos revelaram discreta hipoalbuminemia, sugestiva de desnutrição. As pesquisas sorológicas foram negativas. Não foi isolada Salmonella sp. nas fezes, mas identificou-se Escherichia coli 19(61,3%), com resultado negativo para sorotipos patogênicos. A análise coproparasitológica revelou Protozoophaga sp. (58%), Strongyloides spp (9,7%), Viannella spp. (22,6%) e ovos e larvas de Ancylostomídeos (9,7%). Não foram isolados fungos dermatófitos nos pelos, apenas bolores oportunistas. Os animais revelaram-se livres de infecções de caráter zoonótico, porém medidas preventivas sanitárias deverão ser adotadas. / Wild animals are known to play an important role in public health, as they may act as reservoirs for potentially zoonotic infectious agents. Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), very common animals in Brazil, have been associated with the transmission of spotty fever (Rickettsia rickettsii) by Amblyomma cajannense, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, rabies and Chagas disease, as well as enterobacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine their health status. Thirty-one capybaras were physically and chemically restrained, identified with microchips, and blood, rectal swabs, feces and hair samples were collected. Microcytic normochromic anemia and eosinophilia were observed in all animals; serum chemistry revealed mild hypoalbuminemia, which was considered suggestive of malnutrition. Serology for infection diseases was negative. Salmonella sp. was not isolated from the feces however, Escherichia coli strains were retrieved from 19 animals (61,3%), negative for pathogenic serotypes. Coproparasitology revealed Protozoophaga sp. (58%), Strongyloides spp (9,7%), Viannella spp (22,6%) and Ancylostomid eggs and larvae (9,7%). No dermatophytes fungi were isolated from the hair samples, only molds. The animals were free from potentially zoonotic agents however, preventive sanitary measures should be implemented.

Orientador: Fernando Antônio de Ávila / Banca: Luiz Augusto do Amaral / Banca: Ariel Eurides Stella / Banca: José Moacir Marin / Banca: Oliveiro Caetano de Freitas Neto / Resumo: Escherichia coli que causam doenças fora do intestino são conhecidas como E. coli patogênicas extraintestinais (ExPEC) e incluem E. coli uropatogênica (UPEC), isoladas de infecção do trato urinário, E. coli associada à Meningite Neonatal (MNEC), isoladas de humanos recém-nascidos e E. coli patogênica para aves (APEC), responsável pela colibacilose aviária. Esses patótipos possuem similaridades genéticas entre si, sugerindo que APEC tenha um potencial zoonótico. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo detectar e caracterizar estirpes de E. coli que possuem genes de virulência relacionados a APEC em aves selvagens e pombos-domésticos, tanto de cativeiro quanto de vida livre, aparentemente saudáveis. Das 500 amostras, foram obtidos 49 isolados que foram analisados por PCR quanto à presença de genes de virulência, submetidos ao teste de patogenicidade in vivo, ao teste de suscetibilidade a antimicrobianos, tiveram a relação epidemiológica estabelecida por PFGE e os sorotipos e grupos filogenéticos identificados. Os genes de virulência e alguns antígenos somáticos e flagelares encontrados nos isolados foram anteriormente associados a estirpes de APEC de alta virulência e também foram detectados em ExPEC humanas. A maior parte dos isolados pertencia aos grupos filogenéticos B1 e B2, previamente descritos como grupos que albergam isolados patogênicos oriundos de animais e os que causam infecções extraintestinais, respectivamente, além disso, esses grupos possuíam os isolados com maior número de genes de virulência e de alta virulência, enquanto a maioria dos isolados do grupo D foram não virulentos. Os pombos-domésticos de cativeiro tiveram o maior número de isolados multirresistentes aos antimicrobianos (100,0%), seguido pelas aves selvagens domiciliadas (75,0%), aves selvagens de vida livre (53,3%) e pombos-domésticos de vida livre (26,3%). A análise de similaridade por PFGE mostrou alta heterogeneidade ... / Abstract: Escherichia coli strains that cause disease outside the intestine are known as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) and include uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), isolated from urinary tract infections, neonatal-meningitis E. coli (NMEC), isolated from human neonates and avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), responsible for colibacillosis in birds. These pathotypes shows similarities that suggest that the avian strains potentially have zoonotic properties. The aim of this study was to detect and characterize E. coli strains possessing virulence genes related to APEC in wild birds and pigeons, both captivity and free-living, apparently healthy. Of 500 samples collected, there were 49 isolates obtained that were analyzed by PCR for the presence of virulence genes, submitted to pathogenicity test in one day old chicks, to antimicrobial susceptibility test, serotyping, phylogenetic typing and PFGE. Virulence genes, somatic and flagellar antigens found in the isolates were previously associated to high pathogenic APEC and were also detected in human extraintestinal infections strains. Most of the isolates belonged to phylogenetic groups B1 and B2, previously described as groups that harbor pathogenic isolates from animals and the ones that cause extraintestinal infections, respectively. Furthermore, these groups had isolates with the highest number of virulence genes and highly pathogenic, while most strains of group D were no pathogenic. The captivity pigeons showed more multidrug-resistant isolates (100.0%), followed by domestic wild birds (75.0%), free-living wild birds (53.3%) and free-living pigeons (26.3%). The isolates showed high heterogeneity by PFGE, indicating that there were not E. coli prevalent clones among these birds. The results showed that wild birds and pigeons are reservoirs of multidrug-resistant E. coli harboring virulence genes related to APEC, being potentially pathogenic for humans and other animals, being able to ... / Doutor

Foi efetuado um inquérito epidemiológico do potencial zoonótico da população canina da Estância Turística de Ibiúna, SP. As zoonoses investigadas foram: leishmaniose, leptospirose, brucelose (B.canis), toxoplasmose, neosporose e doença de Chagas. As características analisadas foram: ocorrência, prevalência, distribuição espacial e fatores de risco. As colheitas de sangue foram efetuadas no período de 2007 a 2008 de uma amostra representativa (n=570), aleatória e estratificada da população canina do município. Por ocasião das colheitas de sangue os proprietários dos animais responderam a um questionário elaborado para permitir o cálculo dos fatores de risco. Os 48 bairros do município foram agrupados em quatro regiões caracterizadas por: região 1 composta por áreas mistas de urbanização recente, sem infra-estrutura adequada e com deficiência de serviços e áreas rurais formadas por pequenas propriedades agrícolas; região 2 de característica predominantemente rural formada por pequenas propriedades agrícolas e sítios circundados por áreas de mata; região 3 formada por área urbanizada que dispõe infra-estrutura organizada; região 4 também apresenta o predomínio de pequenas propriedades rurais para plantio e lazer, circundadas por áreas de mata. Não foram examinados animais do Parque Estadual de Jurupará. A leptospirose foi investigada pela técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica, com uma coleção de 24 sorovariedades de leptospiras, a leishmaniose por uma reação imunoenzimática, a brucelose (B.canis) por cultivo microbiológico e toxoplasmose, neosporose e doença de Chagas por imunofluorescência indireta. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados pelo teste de qui quadrado ou exato de Fisher, quando indicado, o nível de significância adotado foi o de 0,05. Foram encontrados animais reatores para as seis zoonoses estudadas, com taxas de prevalência de: 1,1%, 2,3%, 6,1%, 7,0%, 32,8% e 55,1%, respectivamente para: brucelose por (B.canis), leishmaniose, doença de Chagas, neosporose, leptospirose e toxoplasmose. As variantes sorológicas de leptospiras predominantes em ordem decrescente de ocorrência foram: Pyrogenes, Autumnalis e Canicola. As variáveis sexo masculino, idade adulta, presença de roedores, permanência nas vias públicas, ingestão de carne crua e atividade sexual foram caracterizadas como fatores de risco para leptospirose e toxoplasmose; a permanência nas vias públicas foi caracterizada como fator de risco para brucelose; sexo masculino, idade adulta e atividade sexual foram caracterizados como fatores de risco para neosporose; contato com carrapatos foi caracterizado como fator de risco para doença de Chagas. As prevalências de leishmaniose, leptospirose, brucelose, toxoplasmose e neosporose não diferiram segundo área rural ou urbana bem como nas quatro regiões em que o município foi dividido. A prevalência da doença de Chagas foi idêntica em área rural ou urbana, mas o valor observado na região 4 (bairros: Campo Verde, Rio Una de Cima, Ressaca e Paruru) foi superior ao encontrado nas demais. / A seroepidemiologic survey was performed aiming to evaluate the zoonotic potential of the canine population of the tourist city of Ibiúna, São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. The frequency of the occurrence, spatial distribution and associated risk factors of leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, brucellosis (Brucella canis), toxoplasmosis, neosporosis and Chagas' disease were investigated during the period of 2007 to 2008, in 570 blood samples gathered randomly from a stratified canine population, divided in 48 districts of the municipality which were grouped into four main regions characterized as: region 1 consists of mixed areas of recent urbanization without adequate infrastructure and services and rural areas formed by small properties; region 2 predominantly agricultural characteristic with small rural farms and properties surrounded by forest areas; region 3 formed by urbanized area with organized infrastructure, region 4 also presents the predominance of small country properties for planting and leisure, surrounded by forest areas. The animals of the State Park of Jurupará were not examined. During the blood collection, a questionnaire was applied to the owners of animals, in order to afford the epidemiological profile of the population and to carry out statistical analysis of risk factors. Leptospirosis was investigated by microscopic serum agglutination technique using a collection of 24 leptospira serovars, for leishmaniasis it was employed the ELISA technique and for brucellosis, by microbiological cultivation of B. canis and the toxoplasmosis, neosporosis and Chagas' disease, by using the indirect immunofluorescence techniques. The results were analyzed by the qui square (X2) test or by the Fisher's exact test, when indicated, using the significance level of α = 0.05. Positive reactant animals were found for leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, neosporosis and Chagas' disease, with positive rates respectively of 2.3%, 32.8%, 1.05%, 55.1%, 7.0% and 6.1%. The most frequent serovars of leptospires, in decreasing order of occurrence were: Pyrogenes, Autumnalis and Canicola. Variables like "Male sex", "age", "presence of rodents", "permanence in streets", "ingestion of raw meat" and "sexual activity" were characterized as risk factors for the occurrence of leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis. Permanence in streets" was characterized as a risk factor for the occurrence of brucellosis. "Male sex", "age" and "sexual activity" were characterized as risk factors for the occurrence of neosporosis. The "contact with ticks" was characterized as a risk factor for the occurrence of Chagas' disease. The frequencies of occurrence of leishmaniasis, leptospirosis, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis and neosporosis were similar in rural and urban areas as well as in the four regions studied in Ibiúna. The positive rates of Chagas' disease was similar both in rural and urban areas, however, frequencies of Chagas' disease was significantly higher in region 4.

Animais silvestres constituíram sempre um problema de saúde pública pois podem servir de reservatórios para agentes etiológicos de doenças infecciosas com potencial zoonótico. As capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), animais comuns no Brasil, têm sido responsáveis tanto pela transmissão da febre maculosa (Rickettsia rickettsii) por meio do Amblyomma cajennense como também pela transmissão de leptospirose, leishmaniose, raiva, doença de Chagas, além de enterobactérias, doenças fúngicas e parasitárias. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a sanidade das capivaras. Trinta e uma capivaras, sob contenção físico-química e identificadas com microchip, foram submetidas a coletas de amostras de sangue, swab retal, fezes e pelos. Observou-se anemia microcítica normocrômica e eosinofilia em todos os animais. Os exames bioquímicos revelaram discreta hipoalbuminemia, sugestiva de desnutrição. As pesquisas sorológicas foram negativas. Não foi isolada Salmonella sp. nas fezes, mas identificou-se Escherichia coli 19(61,3%), com resultado negativo para sorotipos patogênicos. A análise coproparasitológica revelou Protozoophaga sp. (58%), Strongyloides spp (9,7%), Viannella spp. (22,6%) e ovos e larvas de Ancylostomídeos (9,7%). Não foram isolados fungos dermatófitos nos pelos, apenas bolores oportunistas. Os animais revelaram-se livres de infecções de caráter zoonótico, porém medidas preventivas sanitárias deverão ser adotadas. / Wild animals are known to play an important role in public health, as they may act as reservoirs for potentially zoonotic infectious agents. Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), very common animals in Brazil, have been associated with the transmission of spotty fever (Rickettsia rickettsii) by Amblyomma cajannense, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, rabies and Chagas disease, as well as enterobacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine their health status. Thirty-one capybaras were physically and chemically restrained, identified with microchips, and blood, rectal swabs, feces and hair samples were collected. Microcytic normochromic anemia and eosinophilia were observed in all animals; serum chemistry revealed mild hypoalbuminemia, which was considered suggestive of malnutrition. Serology for infection diseases was negative. Salmonella sp. was not isolated from the feces however, Escherichia coli strains were retrieved from 19 animals (61,3%), negative for pathogenic serotypes. Coproparasitology revealed Protozoophaga sp. (58%), Strongyloides spp (9,7%), Viannella spp (22,6%) and Ancylostomid eggs and larvae (9,7%). No dermatophytes fungi were isolated from the hair samples, only molds. The animals were free from potentially zoonotic agents however, preventive sanitary measures should be implemented.

The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can cause the disease listeriosis in both humans and animals. For the epidemiological investigation of listeriosis detection and characterisation of the organism are important steps. Paper I. There are few reports on the incidence of L. monocytogenes in clinical samples from humans in India. Therefore, we investigated 144 samples from immunocompromised patients. L. monocytogenes was isolated from two placental bits from women with poor obstetric history, one patient with renal failure and three other patients. Five isolates were positive for the virulence genes hlyA, actA and iap. The sixth isolate was positive for hlyA and actA genes. Paper II. Characterisation of 601 human L. monocytogenes isolates causing invasive listeriosis during the period 1986 to 2007 in Sweden reveals a decrease in serovar 4b strains. Since 1996, serovar 1/2a has become the predominant serovar causing human listeriosis: PFGE analysis revealed two clusters including different serotypes suggesting that we need more studies on genetic relatedness among clinical isolates. Paper III. The incidence of Listeria species in seafood from markets in Goa was studied. One hundred and fifteen raw/fresh seafoods bought at the fish markets were sampled and tested for presence of Listeria spp. L. monocytogenes was detected in 10 samples. L. monocytogenes in raw seafood may pose a health risk in kitchen if contaminating ready-to-eat food. Paper IV. Gravad and cold-smoked salmon are associated with human listeriosis in Sweden. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 11 of 56 products. Serovar 1/2a was predominant, followed by 4b. REA/PFGE typing of the isolates identified five types of L. monocytogenes. One type was identical to a human type, two other were closely related.These findings suggest that gravad and cold-smoked salmon are still possible sources of listeriosis in Sweden. Paper V. Many outbreaks of listeriosis have been related to consumption of dairy-associated products. Therefore, 123 farm bulk milk samples in India and 20 cervico-vaginal samples from dairy cows with reproductive disorders were investigated for L. monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 17.9% of bulk milk samples and from 10% of cervico-vaginal swabs. The virulence gene hlyA was detected in all isolates. These findings represent a public health risk where unpasteurised milk and milk products are largely consumed. Paper VI. Isolates of L. monocytogenes (n=177) from 22 animal species were characterized and compared with human strains isolated between 1986-2006 in Sweden. Although many animals and humans shared pulsovars, they did not appear at the same time or with the same proportion of strains. The pulsovars shared by both animals and humans may indicate that there is an exchange of L. monocytogenes strains between these two groups due to either direct or indirect transmission. / <p>The work is done in cooperation with the School of Hospitality, Culinary Arts &amp; Meal Science, Örebro UniversityVishal Singh Parihar, Örebro University, Department of Restaurant and Culinary Arts, Sörälgsvägen 2, SE-712 60 Grythyttan, Sweden or ICAR Research Complex for Goa, Ela, Old Goa – 403402, Goa, India. Phone 0832-2284678/79; Fa:0832-2285649. E-mail: drvishu@yahoo.co.in</p>

The hypothesis central to this study is that the implementation of a canine breeding and parasite control program in Aboriginal communities results in a reduction in the reservoir of zoonotic parasites within communities. The effect of the parasite and breeding control program on the health status of dogs as well as the population characteristics of dogs in communities was also investigated. The study was conducted in 17 Aboriginal communities of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, divided into three regions according to cultural and geographical attributes. All dogs from each community were permanently identified using a microchip system. Owners of dogs were asked the usual location of their animals, the origins of their dogs and the whereabouts of any missing animals at subsequent visits. Every three months dogs were treated with 200ygikg iverrnectin (a potent endo- and ecto-parasiticide) subcutaneously and adult female dogs were treated with an injectable contraceptive (10-30mgkg proligestone) at the request of their owners. At the time of treatment, dogs were assessed for ecto-parasites and photographs taken for later comparison and diagnosis of alopecic skin conditions. Faecal and blood samples were collected every three to six months and skin scrapings were collected from dogs that were refractory to treatment. The samples were used to determine internal parasite prevalence (using formal ethyl acetate sedimentation), blood parameters (for anaemia status) and evidence of scabies or Demodex infestation. A pilot study at one group of communities, involving weekly assessment of dogs after one iverrnectin treatment, showed that the treatment was effective in reducing the prevalence of scabies (as determined by clinical evaluation), hookworm and ticks. The treatment resulted in improvement in animal health as evidenced by a reduction in the number of dogs with anaemia. The long-term use of the ivermectin treatments at the other communities showed that over a period of three years, the prevalence of scabies and hookworm had reduced at most areas. The initial scabies prevalence varied from 17 to 52% and reduced to below 10% for all communities. The hookworm infection rates were affected by seasonal factors, as was evidenced by a seasonal variance in prevalence. Animals that were treated with ivermectin, though, had lower prevalences of hookworm than those that were not. There was a reasonable compliance rate for contraceptive treatments for female dogs (greater than 60% at each visit) and fewer puppies were born within communities when compared with rates before and after the establishment of the treatment program. High rates of acquisition of puppies from other communities continued to maintain the dog population numbers despite the reduction in breeding within communities. The dog population was young, biased towards male dogs, and very unstable (almost 50% of dogs died or went missing in a one year period). The rate of dog ownership across the Kimberley varied according to the region investigated and always remained higher or equal to ownership rates at the town centres of the Kimberley Region (as determined by a survey conducted during the study). Overall the canine parasite and breeding control program resulted in a reduction in scabies and hookworm prevalence in dogs (and hence a reduction in the potential zoonotic transmission), a reduction in dog breeding within communities, an improvement in dog health, and an understanding in the dynamics and health status of dogs within communities.

Thesis (MSc (Paraclinical Sciences)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Mestre -- Escola Nacional de Saude Publica, Rio de Janeiro, 2002.