Survey of zoonotic parasites and bacteria in faeces of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in North-Central Oklahoma.

BACKGROUND: As a population of non-migratory Canada geese (Branta canadensis) has been growing in residential and recreational areas, public concerns on potential acquisition of zoonotic pathogens from Canada geese and their faecal deposits have been increasing. OBJECTIVES: The main study objective was to evaluate the prevalence of zoonotic microorganisms, Campylobacter spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and Salmonella spp. and antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli in faeces of Canada geese residing in North-Central Oklahoma, United States. METHODS: A total of 204 faecal samples were collected from 11 locations in North-Central Oklahoma, where public recreational areas such as lakes and ponds were located, and Canada geese were commonly inhabited. Faecal samples were examined by a centrifugal flotation to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. INFECTIONS: A total of 180 faecal samples were grouped into 36 pooled samples and cultured using standard culture methods to detect the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. INFECTIONS: The antimicrobial resistance profile was determined on 32 E. coli isolates recovered from the 36 sample pools, using the Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion method. RESULTS: The targeted zoonotic pathogens were not identified by the faecal examinations performed. Of the 32 E. coli isolates, 17 isolates (53.1%) demonstrated resistance to ≥1 antimicrobial agent. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted zoonotic pathogens were not detected among the examined resident Canada geese in North-Central Oklahoma. The findings of multiple-antimicrobial resistant E. coli infections are potentially a public health concern although the prevalence was low in this study. Further, larger scale surveys are recommended.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in fecal samples and estimation of parasite contamination from dog parks in central Oklahoma.

Domestic dogs commonly harbor intestinal parasites in Oklahoma and throughout the world. We tested fecal samples from dog parks to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and reported use of parasite control in park-attending dogs and assess potential health risks posed by fecal contamination of public dog parks in this region. Fecal samples (n = 359) were collected from five public access dog parks in central Oklahoma from February to July 2019. Fecal samples were collected immediately after defecation with a corresponding canine lifestyle questionnaire completed by the owner (n = 134) or collected from the ground from unknown animals to assess potential parasitic contamination of the parks (n = 225). Sugar centrifugal flotation and saline sedimentation were performed on all samples for parasite diagnosis. Group comparisons were conducted using the Χ2 test and 95% binominal confidence intervals were calculated for each proportion. One or more parasites were identified in 24.0% (86/359) of samples, including 38/134 (28.4%) fresh samples and 48/225 (21.3%) environmental samples; 6.1% were co-infected. Parasites detected included Ancylostoma spp. (14.5%), Trichuris vulpis (6.7%), Cystoisospora spp. (3.6%), Sarcocystis spp. (1.7%), and Giardia duodenalis (1.4%). A small number of samples had Cryptosporidium spp., Toxocara canis, Alaria sp., Taeniidae eggs, or Heterobilharzia americana. Owners reported 73.1% (98/134) of dogs were maintained on heartworm preventive. Intestinal nematodes, but not all parasites, were significantly less commonly detected in dogs reportedly on heartworm preventive (11.2%) compared to dogs not on heartworm preventive (27.8%; P = .0194). These data suggest dogs and people visiting dog parks are at risk of parasite exposure and that an owner-reported history of heartworm preventive use is associated with decreased prevalence of intestinal nematodes.