Toxascaris leonina in dogs - A nematode species of high prevalence in some regions of Eurasia.

A recent meta-analysis of studies from around the world had shown a global prevalence of Toxascaris leonina in stray dogs of about 7%. However, studies from Eurasian regions, where higher percentages of positive dogs were often found, were under-represented in this meta-analysis. This prompted the present study. Its main objective was to examine free-roaming dogs from the capital city of Kazakhstan to obtain information on the current occurrence of T. leonina egg shedding compared to Toxocara spp. Faecal samples from 500 free-roaming dogs from the city of Astana and its suburbs were collected 1-2 days after admission to the municipal animal shelter during three time periods (May to October 2019, September 2020, and April 2021). Samples were examined by a saline flotation method. Nematode egg-positive samples were subjected to a modified McMaster method to determine the number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). Toxascaris leonina eggs were found in 53.8% and Toxocara spp. eggs in 14.8% of the dogs examined. The prevalence of T. leonina egg shedding was significantly associated with age class but not with sex: dogs aged between 6 months and 2 years were more likely to be T. leonina egg positive than puppies. The intensity of T. leonina egg shedding was also age dependent: dogs aged between 6 months and 2 years had significantly higher EPGs compared to younger or older animals. In contrast, the prevalence of Toxocara spp. egg shedding was associated with both age class and sex: dogs older than 2 years were less likely to shed Toxocara spp. eggs than puppies, and females were less likely to be Toxocara spp. egg positive compared to males. The present results confirm those of other studies in Eurasian regions. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the global prevalence of T. leonina infection has been underestimated and should be revised accordingly.

Bovine hypodermosis is highly prevalent in Kazakhstan: Results of a first serological study.

Background and Aim: Recent information on the occurrence of bovine hypodermosis in Kazakhstan is limited to the results of a few clinical studies in the northern and eastern regions. A first serological study aimed to obtain more data on its geographical distribution and to estimate the prevalence in this country. Material and Methods: Serum samples collected from 891 dairy cows on 30 dairy farms in eight Kazakh provinces during the winter season 2015/2016 were examined for antibodies to Hypoderma spp. first-stage larval antigen using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IDEXX Bovine Hypodermosis Serum Antibody Test). Results: Overall, 73.6% (95% confidence interval: 70.6%-76.5%) of the cows sampled were seropositive for Hypoderma, and antibody-positive cows were found in 28 of 30 farms and in seven of eight provinces. Conclusion: The results suggest a high prevalence of bovine hypodermosis in Kazakhstan, for which the socioeconomic changes in agriculture and village life following the country's independence are considered to be responsible.