A Comparison of the Prevalence of Echinococcosis Granulosus in stray dogs in Sari city, in 1991 and 2007

Background and Ëchinococcosis، due to infection in dog with adult stages of the tape worm Ëchinococcus granulosus، poses significant economic and public health problems in endemic areas of Ïran particularly in Northern provinces. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of Ëchinococcosis granulosus parasites in stray dogs'' population of Sari city، in two separate studies carried out in 1991 and 2007. During the two periods of time، (first 1999 and second 2007) 80 adult stray dogs were collected by shooting from urban areas of Sari city، Northern Ïran. They were necropsied and gastrointestinal tract was opened. Recovered parasites were collected and the taxonomic study was carried out by measuring different parts of the body of parasites. Ïn these two studies، 30 and 50 stray dogs were studied in these areas. The overall prevalence rate of Ëchinococcosis granulosus in 1991 was 46. 7% (in 30 stray dogs) at Sari city (1991). Ïn the second study carried out in 2007 no Ëchinococcosis granulosus egg or adult worm was found in stray dogs. Çonclusion: The reduction of the prevalence of Ëchinococcosis granulosus in stray dogs seems to be due to increase of health care in this area، especially construction of new industrial slaughterhouse.