Prevalence and Mode of Transmission of Echinococcosis in Dogs of Kashmir Valley

Author: Hidayatullah Tak, Abas Andrabi, Rukhsana Akhter, Bilal Ahmad Para and Ishfaq Majeed

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Abstract

Echinococcus granulosus parasite is known to cause echinococcosis in dogs and hydatid disease or hydatidosis in ruminant animals and accidently in humans. In Kashmir valley dogs have a significant role in transmission of zoonotic parasites, as they often come in close contact with local inhabitants, mostly the Gujjars and Bakarwals. Challenges for Echinococcus granulosus detection and control exist for Kashmir valley as well as for those nations that may be considering hydatid disease in control now or in the future. A variety of methods are available for its diagnosis in humans but a universal gold standard is lacking. However the use of modern techniques of immunodiagnosis has proved to be the best tool for the diagnosis of intestinal echinococcosis at a larger scale and thus resulted in conducting epidemiological studies on large number of individuals. The prevalence of Echinococcosis infection in canines was determined by examining fecal samples collected from different districts of the Valley. For detection of coproantigens of this helminth in dogs an immunodiagnostic test sandwich ELISA was used. A total number of390 dog fecal samples were tested (from December 2021 to October 2022) and out of them 38 samples were found to be positive in sandwich ELISA., the fecal sample collection was made from different collection sites like streets, playgrounds, open fields, parks, etc.

Keywords

Zoonosis, Sandwich ELISA, Coproantigen, Kashmir

Conclusion

Further research is required to determine the reinfection rate in dogs and the related risk factors of the infection in humans because of the higher prevalence rate and high intensity of infection among dogs in this study. However, this knowledge is crucial for comprehending the E. granulosus transmission dynamics in Kashmir valley, which will help in the successful creation of a successful control programme for this significant zoonosis in this region.

References

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How to cite this article

Hidayatullah Tak, Abas Andrabi, Rukhsana Akhter, Bilal Ahmad Para and Ishfaq Majeed (2023). Prevalence and Mode of Transmission of Echinococcosis in Dogs of Kashmir Valley. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(1): 320-324.