Gastrointestinal Heminthic Infections and Molecular Identification of Hookworm Species in Dog Shelters in Semenyih, Selangor

Gastrointestinal helminths are regarded as one of the most pathogenic agents in dogs. Among GI helminths, canine hookworm species such as Ancylostoma species are potentially to infect human. In Malaysia, information regarding the canine hookworm species and the prevalence of hookworm among sheltered dogs are still scarce, particularly in rural areas. Hence, the present study aimed to update the current status of GI parasitic helminths in sheltered dog populations between well-managed dog shelter and poor-managed dog shelter and to determine the hookworm species using molecular approach. Total of 91 fresh dog faecal samples were collected from two animal shelters located in Semenyih, Selangor. The faecal samples were processed and examined for the presence of GI parasites using formalin-ether concentration technique followed by iodine staining. The microscopically hookworm positive samples were subjected to DNA extraction and subjected to PCR amplification targeting partial of ITS-2 and 28 rRNA region of hookworm species and subsequently bidirectional DNA sequencing. Overall, the prevalence of GI parasitic helmintic infection was 39.6% in Shelter A: 21.9% of 32 and Shelter B: 49.2% of 59. The detected helminths were hookworm (26.4%), Trichuris spp. (3.3%) and Toxocara spp. (3.3%). Among them, hookworm was the most abundant helminth in dogs. Application of molecular approach on hookworm positive samples and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Ancylostoma ceylanicum (63.3% of 30) was common among between two shelters, followed by Ancylostoma caninum (16.7% of 30). These findings have shown that sheltered dogs are most likely to become potential host of hookworm infections among humans in Malaysia.