A prevalence study of Isospora spp. and Hammondia heydorni in dogs in Al-Muthana province

Abstract

    The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Isospora spp and Hammondia heydorni oocysts  in feces of dogs . A total of 177 fecal samples were collected from  farm dogs  during  the  period of April -3-2010 to  July 7-2011that their ages ranged between (1-10) years.   Fecal samples were collected from  dogs and examined by direct method (by using Lugol's iodine) and by flotation method(Seathers solution) to detect of Isospora spp and Hammondia heydorni oocysts . the overall prevalence percent of Isospora spp and Hammondia heydorni was 61 (34.46% ), out of which  52(29.37%) fecal samples were positive for Isospora spp oocysts ( I.canis 12 (6.77%) and I. ohoensis 40 (22.59%) that the its  measurement of  oocysts were ranged between (25-44 um) x (24-39 um) and (17-24 um) x(16-22 um) respectively. the results showed   in the age groups (4-7) years old were highest rate was 28.57 % , 9.52 % in infection of I.ohoensis and I.canis  respectively , while were highest rate of infection of  H.heydoni was   5.95%   in the age groups (1-4) years old and the lowest rate  was 3.33% in I.canis  and H.heydoni infection  and 6.66 % in I.ohoensis infection   in  age groups (7-10) years , there was  no significant difference (P>0.05). In conclusion, this study has highlighted the prevalence  of Isospora spp and Hammondia heydorni in dogs for the first time in Al-Muthana province.