INVESTIGATION OF TAENIA SPP EGGS IN DOGS OF URMIA SUBURB WITH USING MULTIPLEX PCR METHODS

Taenia spp. and Echinococcus are important common zoonotic parasites in dogs. Dogs as the most important final hosts were infected with several species of these helminths simultaneously which are morphologically indistinguishable. The aim of the present study was to investigate Taenia spp eggs contamination in dogs of Urmia, Iran, by molecular method.

In this study, a total of 246 dog fecal samples were collected from Urmia, northwest of Iran, and examined using a flotation method followed by multiplex PCR for detection and identification of parasites’ eggs.

Taeniid eggs were observed in 12 (4.57%) of samples. Based on Multiplex PCR analysis, 1.62%, 2.03% and 1.21% of samples were infected with Echinococcus granulosus, Tenia spp and simultaneous infection of Tania and E. granulosus were observed, respectively. E. multilocularis was not seen in the samples.

Considering the observation of infection with Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia spp. in this study and their importance as zoonotic parasites, it is recommended to design and implement control programs.