Sci.Int.(Lahore),26(2),771-774.2014 ISSN 1013-5316; CODEN: SINTE 8 771 CANINE ZOONOSIS; ITS POTENTIAL AND ASSOCIATION OF SOIL-BORNE HELMINTHES FROM PUBLIC PARKS AND ITS GASTRO-INTESTINAL HELMINTHES IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN Muhammad Tayyab Farooqi 1 , Azhar Maqbool 1 ,Kamran Ashraf 1 , Muhammad Imran Rashid 1* ,Haroon Akbar 1 , Ali Ahmad Sheikh 2 1 Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab. 2 University Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab. 3 Institute of Biochemistry & Biotechnology (IBBT), University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab. *Corresponding author: Imran.rashid@uvas.edu.pk ABSTRACT: Canine helminthiasis is the major cause of zoonotic diseases globally. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of canine zoonotic helminthes in Lahore, Pakistan. One hundred (100) faecal samples from pet dogs while Four hundred (400) soil samples along with grass contaminated with the faeces of stray dogs were collected from dog kennels, parks, playgrounds, backyards and streets of Lahore city. The faecal samples were analyzed by flotation and sedimentation techniques. Microscopic examination revealed that out of 400 soil samples 33 (8.25 %) were positive for Ancylostomacaninum, 37 (9.25%) for Toxocaracanis, 29 (7.25 %) were positive for Dipylidiumcaninum and 19 (4.75%) were positive for Echinococcusgranulosus. Similarly out of 100 faecal samples, 10 % were positive for Ancylostomacaninum, 13 % for Toxocaracanis, 8 %, for Dipylidiumcaninum and 6 % were positive for Echinococcusgranulosus. The results showed that out of 500 samples 155(31%) of the samples were positive for these helminthes. These results reflect heavy contamination of soil with zoonotically important helminthes. It is suggested that regular screening of pet animals and elimination of stray dogs should be adopted for public health importance. Furthermore, entry of the stray dogs in public areas should be restricted to minimize the risk of zoonotic diseases. Key words: canine, helminthiasis, public health, public parks, parasites, zoonosis INTRODUCTION The role of companion animals as carriers of zoonotic diseases has been potentiated as a significant public health problem worldwide [1]. Canine parasitic zoonoses, however, are far from confined to developed countries. In developing countries uncontrolled populations of stray dogs exist in close proximity to increasing densities of human populations in urban areas, and humans often share a close relationship with semi-domesticated dogs in rural settings [2]. In these socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, the poor levels of hygiene and overcrowding, along with a lack of veterinary attention and zoonotic awareness, exacerbates the risks of disease transmission [3]. Dogs suffer from so many bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases besides the metabolic and accidental problems. It is an established fact that parasitic diseases adversely affect the health of dogs. Few parasites are of zoonotic importance and transmit various diseases to man.[4]. It has been estimated that infectious and parasitic diseases contribute 25% of the global disease burden [5]. The four most common soil-borne helminthes are roundworms (Ascarislumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuristrichiura), and the anthropophilic hookworms (Necatoramericanusand Ancylostomaduodenale). Ascarids (Toxocaracanis, T. cati) and hookworms (Ancylostoma spp.), are common intestinal parasites of dogs and cats. Ascarids and hookworms can cause diseases not only in their respective hosts but they are also well-known causes of larval migrans syndromes in humans, especially in children. While ascarids and hookworms are most commonly diagnosed in puppies and kittens. These Infection can occur in dogs and cats of all ages [6]. Epidemiologic studies have implicated the presence of dogs, particularly puppies as the principal risk factors for human helminthic diseases. Play habits of children and their attraction to pets put them at higher risk for infection than adults. The humans become infected with ascarids and other parasitic diseases through ingestion of infective eggs in the environment. When human ingests infective eggs, they hatch and release larvae that can migrate anywhere in the body through visceral larval migrans. The common dog tape worm (T. canis) and cat tape worm (T.cati) cause disease in humans especially in children.[7]. Keeping in view the zoonotic importance of these parasites this study was designed to estimate the prevalence of various zoonotic helminthes of dogs in the densely populated city like Lahore, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Area Lahore city is located at Coordinates: 31°32′59″ N, 74°20′37″ E on the globe as shown in figure 1. It is the provincial capital of Punjab Province inhabiting more than 10 million people. Lahore is the second largest city of the country and has been a centre of cultural heritage for many civilizations. Preservation of Samples Samples collected in the field was either placed in the refrigerator or preserved in 10% formalin [8]. Then the samples were brought to the Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore for examination. Collection and processing of samples One hundred faecal samples were collected from pet dogs in the spring season from March to May in a separate pre