Evaluation of the zoonotic potential of invasions of carnivores in a number of regions of St. Petersburg and the Lenigrad region

Abstract

The last large-scale study of the parasite fauna of cats and dogs in St. Petersburg was carried out by Prozorov A.M. However, since then, according to sociological surveys, the number of animals in large cities of Russia has increased significantly, and no new studies on parasitic diseases of carnivores have been conducted. As the number of pets increases, so does the parasite population. Of particular danger are zoonotic invasions, in particular toxocariasis, dipilidiosis and toxoplasmosis. In the process of studying the species composition of parasites of carnivores, material from 608 animals from a number of districts of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region was examined. As a result, the extensiveness of invasion in carnivores was established, which amounted to 23.7% (in cats 11.5%, in dogs - 12.2%). Cat toxocariasis is registered in every district and is in first place in terms of frequency of occurrence, with the exception of the Kalininsky district of St. Petersburg. The most common infestation of dogs, as well as in cats, in all the studied areas was toxocariasis, the prevalence of invasion of which in animals from centers for helping homeless animals and owners is 26.5% and 7.7%, respectively, which contributes to the contamination of the environment with toxocara eggs. Dipylidiasis is rare in carnivores (extensiveness of invasion was 0.2%) but has not been completely ruled out. The analysis led to the conclusion that the danger of infection with zoonotic invasions is preserved, therefore, it is necessary to carry out timely fight against diseases and carnivorous people, both in the centers for helping homeless animals, and in the owners of dogs and cats. It is also necessary to increase the level of people's knowledge about parasites, methods of infection and prevention, most common in humans and animals, invasive infections.