Hookworms are the most common and voracious blood-sucking parasites of the small intestines of mammalian hosts such as dogs, cats, ruminants and humans. Canine hookworms are endemic in the Southeast Asian countries including Bangladesh. There is scarcity of information on the prevalence of hookworms of stray dogs in Bangladesh. The present study determined the prevalence of canine hookworms using fecal examination followed by morphometric and molecular identification. Fecal samples were collected from 320 stray dogs living in rural areas of Mymensingh district (Gauripur upazila, Mymensingh sadar upazila and Tarakanda upazila) and hookworm eggs were identified using the flotation techniques. The overall prevalence of hookworm was 79.1% through microscopic examination. Estimated fecal prevalence was higher in Gauripur upazila (89.7%) followed by Mymensingh sadar upazila (84.8%) and Tarakanda upazila (53.2%). Five hookworm species were identified based on the morphometric examination, namely, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma duodenale, respectively. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed with the genomic DNA by targeting the 5.8S rRNA (~ 404 bp) and Cytochrome oxidase-1 (Cox 1, ~ 450 bp) and confirmed the identification for the first time in Bangladesh. This study reveals that stray dogs may act as reservoir hosts of human hookworm infection. Further detail molecular study is warranted to explore the genetic diversity of hookworms that infect both dogs and human in Bangladesh.

Cutaneous larva migrans is a fairly common parasitic skin disease typically found in more tropical climates such as the southeastern United States, with the most commonly encountered organism known as the hookworm, Ancylostoma braziliense. Löeffler's syndrome is a rare pulmonary manifestation with vague diagnostic criteria but frequently characterized by diffuse migratory pulmonary infiltrates on imaging studies with accompanying serum eosinophilia. Here, we present a unique case of Löeffler's syndrome secondary to cutaneous larva migrans.

Dog feces may contain zoonotic parasites that contaminate the environment and serve as a potential source of infection to animals and humans. In this study, microscopic and molecular analyses were used to estimate the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and assess the risk factors for infection in 948 dogs in three climatically distinct zones of Nigeria. Zoonotic helminths including Strongyloides stercoralis, Ancylostoma braziliense, A. caninum and Toxocara canis were detected either as single or multiple infections in 377 (39.8 %) of dogs examined. At multiple logistic regression analyses, association was found between GI parasite infection and deworming practices and dog management. Regarding A. braziliense, A. caninum and T. canis infections, intensity of egg shedding was statistically associated with the age of the dogs and not with their sex or breed. The majority of GI parasite-positive dogs did not receive regular deworming treatment (59 %) and roamed freely (56 %) thereby constituting public health risk. This is the first nationwide survey and analyses of risk factors of GI parasites of dogs using molecular methods as confirmation of their identity. The zoonotic potential of these parasites is exacerbated by the lack of both operational national policies to control the population of free-roaming dogs and to promote responsible dog ownership, and veterinary public health programs for dogs.

Background Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a neglected parasitic skin disease caused by hookworm larvae such as Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum. It is more common in tropical and subtropical countries. Evidence regarding clinical profiles, risk factors and outcomes of children with CLM in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka is scarce. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic profile, risk factors, clinical manifestations and outcomes associated with CLM in children who presented to paediatric and dermatological clinics of the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. Method A retrospective study was conducted over three years from January 2017 to December 2019 among children who presented with CLM infection to paediatric and dermatological clinics of the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. Twenty-eight children who were aged between 1 and 14 years were recruited for the study. Detailed information including demographic factors such as age, sex, residence and mother's education, risk factors for infection, main reason for clinic visit, duration of illness, site of lesions, number of lesions, treatment received from out-patients department and/or general practitioner, duration of treatment, associated secondary bacterial infection, family history of similar infections and laboratory investigations were extracted from clinical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Among 28 children recruited for this study, 19 (67.9%) were male children and 9 (32.1) were female children. The majority of children were below 6 years (n=25, 88.3%). Twenty-six (92.9%) children had residence in rural areas and also belonged to low socioeconomic class. Most cases were detected in Valaichenai (32.1%) and Kattankudy (21.4%) 'Medical Officer of Health' (MOH) regions. The majority of mothers were educated only up to ordinary level or below (n=19, 67.8%). All patients had pets either dogs or cats at home and no pets had been dewormed. Almost 92.9% of children acquired disease whilst playing on the infected soil The main reason for clinic visit had been itchiness and this presentation accounted for 60.7% (n=17). Skin infection accounted for 25% of presenting problems. Majority of them presented late to the clinic with the lesions of more than three weeks of duration (n=17, 60.7%). Single lesion was noted in the majority (n=27, 96.4%) except one child who had three lesions. Buttock lesions were observed in 35.7%, feet in 25%, and 10.7% in legs. Investigations revealed eosinophilia in 50% (n=14) of patients and neutrophil leukocytosis was seen in five patients (17.9%). All patients received treatment either from the general practitioner or outpatient department for variable duration without success before attending the specialist clinic. Fifty percent of patients needed treatment with Albendazole and antihistamine for more than three weeks to achieve complete cure. It was also observed that overall occurrence had been declining over the past three years. Conclusion CLM is a common and unreported disease in Eastern province, Sri Lanka. The majority of children presented from low socio-economic backgrounds. The common risk factors were the presence of dewormed pets at home and contamination with infected soil. The majority of children had a single lesion on presentation. Fifty percent of children needed more than three weeks of treatment to achieve a good response.

Cutaneous larva migrans is an acquired, self-limited infestation caused by cat hookworm, Ancylostoma braziliense, and dog hookworm, A. caninum The disease is acquired by direct contact with contaminated soil. Circumrotation is a religious ritual practised by devotees of Hinduism as a fulfilment of vows taken at the shrine and involves rolling over with uncovered upper body on the sand over a distance of up to 600 m. It is a reported mode of acquisition of cutaneous larva migrans infestation. The authors report a 10-year-old boy who acquired cutaneous larva migrans on his right forearm after circumrotation. The forearm is an unusual site for this infestation, and most reported cases had lesions on the feet, thighs and buttocks following either sitting or playing on contaminated soil. The child made complete recovery following treatment with albendazole for 1 week.

A number of gastrointestinal parasites have been reported to infect dogs in Nigeria, some of which have zoonotic potential. Of these, hookworms are the most prevalent, with both Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala reported in the country. In this study, we subjected 203 hookworm microscopy-positive samples of the 885 individual faecal samples collected from dogs in Nigeria to a recently developed multiplex qPCR for the detection and characterisation of canine hookworm species. The qPCR demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 98% (95% CI 95-99.4) allowing the detection of A. caninum and A. braziliense in 81.3% (165/203, 95% CI 75.3-86.1) and 51.2% (104/203, 95% CI 44.4-58) of the microscopy-positive faecal samples of dogs from Nigeria, respectively and 34.5% (70/203, 95% CI 28.3-41.3) of mixed infections with both hookworm species. The finding of A. braziliense is particularly worrisome given this is a well-known agent of persistent cutaneous larva migrans, commonly referred to as "creeping eruptions" in humans. Although this parasite has been diagnosed in locals and in people travelling in Nigeria suffering from dermatological illnesses, this represents the first molecular identification of A. braziliense in its canine reservoir in the country. These results update the occurrence and distribution of hookworm species affecting dogs in Nigeria highlighting the suitability of the newly developed multiplex qPCR assay as a high-throughput tool for the surveillance of zoonotic hookworms, globally.

The canine hookworms Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala are not only capable of producing morbidity and mortality in dogs but are also neglected tropical zoonoses. Each hookworm species differs considerably in its geographical distribution, life cycle, biology, pathogenic impacts on both canine and human hosts, zoonotic potential, and response to treatment with anthelminthics. Here we describe the development and validation of two Taq-Man based multiplex PCR assays capable of detecting and differentiating all four canine hookworm species in faeces of naturally infected dogs. The analytical sensitivity of both assays was assessed using 10-fold serial dilutions of synthetic gene block fragments containing individual sequence targets of each hookworm species. The sensitivity of the assays and ability to detect mixed species infections were compared to a conventional PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism based-approach when applied to laboratory and field samples from endemic areas. The qPCRs detected at least one species of hookworms in 82.4% of PCR-RFLP-negative but microscopy-positive samples. The qPCRs detected an additional 68% mixed infections with different species of canine hookworms, and additional single species infection with A. caninum (47%), U. stenocephala (33%) and A. ceylanicum (0.02%) that were missed by PCR-RFLP. These multiplex qPCR assays will assist field based epidemiological surveillance studies towards an accurate and sensitive monitoring of canine hookworm infections in dogs, to inform their species-specific zoonotic risks to populations living in endemic areas, globally.

Both Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms are common soil-transmitted helminths in remote Australian communities. In addition to infecting humans, S. stercoralis and some species of hookworms infect canids and therefore present both environmental and zoonotic sources of transmission to humans. Currently, there is limited information available on the prevalence of hookworms and S. stercoralis infections in dogs living in communities across the Northern Territory in Australia. In this study, 274 dog faecal samples and 11 faecal samples of unknown origin were collected from the environment and directly from animals across 27 remote communities in Northern and Central Australia. Samples were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the presence of S. stercoralis and four hookworm species: Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala. The prevalence of S. stercoralis in dogs was found to be 21.9% (60/274). A. caninum was the only hookworm detected in the dog samples, with a prevalence of 31.4% (86/274). This study provides an insight into the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworms in dogs and informs future intervention and prevention strategies aimed at controlling these parasites in both dogs and humans. A "One Health" approach is crucial for the prevention of these diseases in Australia.

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) also termed as "creeping eruption," is a parasitic infestation produced by burrowing of the larva of Ancylostoma braziliense. The larva enters intact or abraded skin following exposure with soil contaminated with faeces. Solitary tracts involving feet, hands, buttocks, and genitalia are usually encountered. Although CLM is an endemic tropical disease, in this era of global migration, physicians worldwide should promptly diagnose and treat the condition.

Cutaneous larva migrans is a dermatitis, typically acquired in warm tropical or sub-tropical countries, caused by migration of the larvae of nematodes (hookworm; mainly Ancylostoma braziliense and, occasionally, Ancylostoma caninum or Uncinaria stenocephala), which are parasitic on animals such as cats and dogs, into the patient's skin. The larvae penetrate the skin after contact with infected soil and cause a typical creeping eruption. Patients with cutaneous larva migrans seen in Europe have usually acquired the disease following a stay in a tropical or sub-tropical area. How-ever, some cases of cutaneous larval migrans are acquired in Europe. We report here 5 autochthonous cases in France and give an overview of European autochthonous cases.

All canine hookworms are known to be zoonotic, causing infections ranging from transient skin irritations to prolonged 'creeping eruptions', eosinophilic enteritis and even patent intestinal infections. There is little information on canine hookworm species and their public health significance in sub-Saharan Africa. This study determined the prevalence and species of hookworms in dogs from different climatic zones of Kenya. Dog faecal samples were collected from the environment, and hookworm eggs were isolated by zinc chloride flotation and subjected to DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and 2, 5.8S and 28S ribosomal RNA of Ancylostoma spp. and Uncinaria stenocephala were performed, and hookworm species were identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) or DNA sequencing. Hookworm eggs were detected by microscopy in 490/1621 (30.23%, 95% CI 28.01-32.54) faecal samples. Estimates of faecal prevalence were high in counties receiving higher rainfall (Narok 46.80%, Meru 44.88%) and low in those with a more arid climate (Isiolo 19.73%, Turkana 11.83%). In a subset of 70 faecal samples, Ancylostoma caninum (n = 59) was the most common species, followed by A. braziliense (n = 10) and A. cf. duodenale (n = 1). This study reports for the first time the detection of A. cf. duodenale in dog faeces and zoonotic hookworm species in Kenyan dogs. These findings emphasize the need for control measures such as enforcing laws for restraining stray dogs, regular deworming of dogs, and public health awareness programmes aimed at informing communities on outdoor use of footwear.

There is a paucity of information on hookworm species in humans, domestic animals and wildlife in southern Africa. Our study aimed to identify hookworm species from stray dogs, humans, and selected wildlife from South Africa. A total of 356 faecal samples were screened for the presence of hookworm-like eggs and subsequently coproculture from the positive samples was carried out to obtain larvae. Hookworm-like eggs were detected in 23.03% (82/356) of samples. Of these samples, 78/296 were from dogs, 3/50 from humans and 1/10 from wildlife. DNA was then isolated from the larvae of 55 positive samples, which were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR), polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) and 5.8S rRNA region. Presence of Ancylostoma caninum, A. braziliense and A. ceylanicum-like species was recorded in stray dogs and A. caninum was recorded in wildlife and humans, using PCR-RFLP. Although PCR-RFLP results pointed to the presence of A. ceylanicum, we did not get a sequence that matched with A. ceylanicum from GenBank. This may have been due to the low proportion of A. ceylanicum larvae in our samples. Twenty-two of the 27 positive amplicons from stray dogs matched with A. caninum, three with A. braziliense and two had mixed infections of A. braziliense and A. caninum. Sequences from a lion and three humans matched with A. caninum. This is the first confirmation of a patent A. caninum infection in humans as evidenced by the presence of eggs in faeces, with the subsequent larvae from coproculture being identified as A. caninum.

A new topical formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner (Revolution® Plus/Stronghold® Plus, Zoetis) was evaluated in the treatment and control of naturally occurring infections of Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Toxocara cati in cats presented as veterinary patients in the United States. Three thousand three hundred three (3303) cats were screened in 25 veterinary practices in 15 states and 153 hookworm-positive cats (A. tubaeforme and/or A. braziliense), mainly from Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Hawaii, were identified; 135 cats met all the criteria for enrollment and were included on study. The cats were randomly assigned to treatment with Revolution® (at the label dosage, to provide a minimum dosage of 6 mg/kg selamectin) or selamectin plus sarolaner (at a dosage of 6-12 mg/kg plus 1-2 mg/kg, respectively). Treatments were administered at the time of enrollment and repeated 30 days later. Fecal samples were collected for differential fecal egg count prior to the first treatment (Day 0), prior to the second treatment (Day 30), and approximately 30 days later (Day 60). Efficacy was based on the percentage reductions in geometric mean fecal egg count for A. tubaeforme on Day 30 and Day 60 compared with Day 0. Where cats were co-infected with T. cati, efficacy against this species was also evaluated. Efficacy data were evaluated for A. tubaeforme for 40 cats on both Day 30 and Day 60 for the group treated with the selamectin/sarolaner combination and reductions in geometric mean fecal egg counts of 99.4% and 99.7% were demonstrated for Day 30 and Day 60, respectively. For the group treated with selamectin alone, 44 and 40 cats were evaluated and percent reductions for Day 30 and Day 60 were 99.5% and 99.9%, respectively. For T. cati, 14 cats were evaluated in the selamectin/sarolaner-treated group for Day 30 and for Day 60, and the reduction in geometric mean fecal egg count was 100% for both days. There were 11 and 9 cats evaluated for Day 30 and Day 60, respectively, for the selamectin-treated group and the reduction was again 100% for both days. The geometric mean fecal egg counts post-treatment were significantly lower than pre-treatment for both A. tubaeforme and T. cati, for both treatments, and for both periods of interest (P < 0.0001). No serious adverse events related to treatment with either product occurred during the study. Thus, both selamectin alone and the combination product of selamectin/sarolaner were safe and effective when administered on a monthly basis for the treatment and control of natural infections of A. tubaeforme and T. cati. The addition of sarolaner to the formulation did not interfere with the efficacy of selamectin against these nematodes.

The presence and distribution of various species of canine hookworms in Africa are poorly known. The main objective of this study, therefore, was to identify the hookworm species present in canine faecal samples from Morogoro, Tanzania, using molecular techniques. Faecal samples from 160 local dogs were collected and hookworm positive samples processed to recover larvae for further molecular characterization. DNA was extracted from pools of larvae from individual samples (n = 66), which were analysed subsequently using two different molecular approaches, polymerase chain reaction-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and species-specific PCR coupled with Sanger sequencing. The PCR-RFLP technique detected only the presence of the ubiquitous Ancylostoma caninum in the 66 samples. However, by species-specific PCR coupled with Sanger sequencing we identified ten samples with A. braziliense, two with Uncinaria stenocephala and five with A. ceylanicum. Thus, all four known species of canine hookworms were identified in Morogoro, Tanzania. To our knowledge this is the first report of the detection of the presence of U. stenocephala and A. ceylanicum in Africa using molecular techniques. In addition to their veterinary importance, canine hookworms have zoonotic potential and are of public health concern.

Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HRCLM) is caused by the penetration and migration in the epidermis of larvae of Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum. It is characterized by slightly raised and erythematous tracks, located especially on the feet. These tracks may be single or multiple, serpiginous or linear, ramified and intertwined, accompanied by pruritus. Atypical clinical presentations of HRCLM are currently more frequent than in the past. We present six patients with bullous HRCLM and discuss the possible pathogenetic factors. Furthermore, we present a review of atypical clinical presentations of HRCLM. From 1998 to 2013 we observed approximately 180 patients with HRCLM. In all patients race, nationality, sex, age, country of infestation, location of the disease, clinical picture, laboratory and instrumental examinations and therapy were collected. In six patients (4 males and 2 females), we made a diagnosis, based on the history and clinical picture, of bullous HRCLM. The infestation was characterized by single or multiple blisters, round or oval in shape, of different size, with a clear serous fluid. Some tracks were also visible. All patients complained of pruritus. General physical examination and laboratory and instrumental examinations were normal or negative. Cytological examinations of the blisters showed the presence of lymphocytes and neutrophils, with numerous eosinophils. All patients were successfully treated with oral albendazole. Blisters appear because of the release by the larvae of lytic enzymes (metalloproteases and hyaluronidases). Furthermore, blisters might be the final clinical result of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction due to the release by larvae of unknown antigens. Finally, only in some patients, bullous HRCLM might represent an acute irritant/allergic contact dermatitis caused by topical drugs applied on the lesions. This hypothesis has been excluded in our patients because no topical treatment was made before our observation.

Climate changes may influence the frequency, intensity and geographical distribution of parasites, directly affecting their dispersive stages in the environment (eggs, larvae) and, indirectly, the larvae living mainly in invertebrate intermediate hosts. In biologically diverse nematodes climate warming contributes to the increase in the range of distribution, colonization of new hosts and modification of their development cycles. This is particularly acute in the Arctic and pertains, for instance, to nematodes Ostertagia gruehneri and Setaria tundra parasitizing reindeer Rangifer tarandus and Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis in musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus). Increase in range expansion of mosquitoes Culicidae caused that nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria, especially D. repens, have been listed in autochthonous invasions even in the northern and eastern European countries. In addition, extended range of occurrence is also shown by Ancylostoma braziliense – a parasite of carnivores in the tropical and subtropical countries. In recent years over 20 cases of autochthonous creeping eruption (CE) caused by cutanea larva migrans (CLM) A. braziliense were detected in people in southern Europe (Italy, Spain, France, Germany).

The efficacy of oral afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime combination chewables against induced gastrointestinal nematode infections in dogs was evaluated in six separate studies. Two studies were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the product against Toxocara canis, two studies evaluated the efficacy against Toxascaris leonina, one study evaluated the efficacy against Ancylostoma braziliense, and one study evaluated the efficacy against Ancylostoma caninum. In the A. caninum study, the efficacy of milbemycin oxime alone and afoxolaner alone was also evaluated. Dogs in all studies were inoculated with infective eggs or larvae and confirmed to have patent infections based on a fecal examination prior to allocation to study group and treatment. Each study utilized a randomized block design with blocks based on pre-treatment body weight. All dogs were assigned to blocks based on body weight, and then each dog within a block was randomly assigned to treatment group. There were two groups of 10 dogs each in the T. canis, T. leonina, and A. braziliense studies: 1) an untreated (control) group and 2) a group treated with afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewables (NexGard Spectra(®), Merial). This group was treated at a dose as close as possible to the minimum effective dose of afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime (2.5mg+0.5mg per kg body weight, respectively) once on Day 0 using whole chews. There were four groups of 10 dogs each in the A. caninum study: 1) untreated (control), 2) NexGard Spectra(®) as described above, 3) milbemycin oxime alone (dose of at least 0.5mg per kg of body weight) and 4) afoxalaner alone (dose of at least 2.5mg per kg body weight). For parasite recovery and counts, dogs were euthanized humanely and necropsied seven days after treatment. The efficacy of the afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime combination was ≥98% against T. canis, ≥95.8% against T. leonina, and 90.2% against A. braziliense. Efficacy of the combination against A. caninum was 99.7%, while the efficacy of milbemycin oxime alone was 99.6% and the efficacy of afoxolaner alone was 2.1%. Dogs treated with afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewables had significantly (p≤0.0002) fewer nematodes than the untreated controls in all studies. There were no adverse events or other health problems that were related to treatment with Nexgard Spectra(®) in these studies. The results of these controlled studies demonstrate the high efficacy of the afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewables against a broad range of canine intestinal nematode infections.

The efficacy of oral afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime combination chewable tablets (NexGard Spectra, Merial) against naturally acquired intestinal nematode infections in dogs was evaluated in six negative control, blinded studies including a total of 114 dogs. Dogs were selected based on a pre-treatment fecal examination indicating patent infections with hookworms (two studies), Toxocara or Toxascaris ascarids (one study each) or Trichuris whipworms (two studies). In each study, dogs were assigned to blocks of two animals each, based on decreasing pre-treatment body weight and were randomly allocated to one of two groups consisting of eight, nine or 10 dogs: untreated (control) or treated with the combination chewable tablet formulation. Chewable tablets were combined to provide doses of actives as close as possible to the minimum effective dose of afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime, i.e., 2.5 mg/kg body weight and 0.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively, once on Day 0. For parasite recovery and count, dogs were euthanized humanely and necropsied seven or eight days after treatment. A single treatment with afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets provided 94.8% and 90.9% efficacy against adult Ancylostoma braziliense and A. caninum, respectively, 97.8% and 99.4% efficacy against adult Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina, respectively, and ≥98.3% efficacy against adult Trichuris vulpis. Compared to untreated controls, nematode counts of the treated dogs were significantly reduced (F-test; p<0.002). In addition, analysis of the pooled data across studies revealed that treatment with afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets reduced adult Uncinaria stenocephala burdens by 74.9% (p=0.002). All dogs tolerated the treatment well based on clinical observations post-treatment and daily clinical observations. No adverse experiences or other clinical problems related to the treatment were observed throughout the studies. The results of this series of controlled studies demonstrated high efficacy and excellent acceptability and safety of the afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets when administered for treatment of a broad range of canine intestinal nematode infections.

Hookworm infection stands out for its worldwide distribution and for its veterinary and public health relevance. Based on copromicroscopic examinations and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region, we assessed, respectively, the prevalence of intestinal parasites and the identification of canine hookworm species in faeces recovered from 278 dogs living in households of an inland municipality of São Paulo State, Brazil. Intestinal parasites were found in 67.3% of dogs and hookworm infection was found at the highest prevalence rate (56.6%), followed by Toxocara canis (11.9%), Isospora spp. (11.9%), Giardia spp. (5.8%), Sarcocystis spp. (4.0%), 'Hammondia-like' (1.4%), Dipylidium caninum (1.1%) and Trichuris vulpis (0.7%). Of 158 samples positive for hookworm eggs, 106 (67.1%) were amplified by PCR and, of those, 88 (55.7%) were successfully sequenced for species identification. Single infections with Ancylostoma caninum and Ancylostoma braziliense were recorded in 61.4% and 12.5%, respectively, and mixed infections were found in 26.1%. The nucleotide sequences of both species showed high identity rates (98-100%) when compared with reference sequences. Although A. caninum was the most prevalent hookworm in the dogs assessed, the occurrence of both A. caninum and A. braziliense in single and/or mixed infections poses a potential risk for the local population in a low-income area, especially children, to acquire cutaneous larva migrans (CLM).

Cutaneous larva migrans or creeping eruptions is a cutaneous dermatosis caused by hookworm larvae, Ancylostoma braziliense. A 2-month-old female child presented with a progressive rash over the left buttock of 4 days duration. Cutaneous examination showed an urticarial papule progressing to erythematous, tortuous, thread-like tract extending a few centimeters from papule over the left gluteal region. A clinical diagnosis of cutaneous larva migrans was considered. Treatment with albendazole led to complete resolution, confirming the diagnosis. This is to the best of our knowledge, the youngest age at which this condition is being reported.

Cutaneous larva migrans is a parasitic disease caused by Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum larvae, which is transmitted by contact with sand infested with these parasites. Dogs and cats are the definitive hosts. This parasitic disease is endemic in the Caribbean, Africa, Australia, and Asia. We present the case of a 27-year-old woman, who developed skin lesions compatible with cutaneous larva migrans on her right foot after returning from beach vacations in the Mexican Caribbean. After clinical diagnosis, oral ivermectin was administered, with good clinical response.

Four studies were conducted to examine the efficacy of a novel topical combination of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin, and praziquantel (BROADLINE(®), Merial) against Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Ancylostoma braziliense hookworms of cats. In each study, purpose-bred cats were randomly assigned to treatment groups of 10 or 12 cats per group. In three studies the cats were inoculated with A. tubaeforme and in one study with A. braziliense. The inoculations were undertaken on a schedule which resulted in the hookworms reaching the fourth larval stage in two of the studies, or the adult stage in four of the studies, by the day of treatment. In each study there was also an untreated control and 1 or 2 groups treated with the novel combination. In the two studies where efficacy against the fourth larval stage of A. tubaeforme was tested, the efficacy recorded was 100%. In the three studies where efficacy against the adult stage of A. tubaeforme was tested, efficacy of 100% was also confirmed. In the study where efficacy against the adult stage of A. braziliense was tested efficacy was 99.5%.

The efficacy of a novel topical combination formulation of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel against naturally acquired intestinal nematode and cestode infections in cats was evaluated in seven negative control, blinded studies. Cats were selected based on a pre-treatment faecal examination indicating a patent infection with at least hookworms (two studies), Toxocara ascarids (one study), taeniid cestodes (two studies) or Dipylidium cestodes (two studies). In each study, cats were assigned randomly to blocks of two animals each, based on decreasing pre-treatment body weight and were randomly allocated to one of two groups of six to 12 cats: untreated (control) or treated with topical fipronil (8.3%, w/v), (S)-methoprene (10%, w/v), eprinomectin (0.4%, w/v) and praziquantel (8.3%, w/v) (BROADLINE(®), Merial) at 0.12 mL/kg body weight (providing a minimum of 10mg fipronil+12 mg S-methoprene+0.5mg eprinomectin+10mg praziquantel per kg body weight). The topical treatment was administered directly on the skin in the midline of the neck in a single spot once on Day 0. For parasite recovery and count, cats were euthanized humanely and necropsied seven or ten days after treatment. A single treatment with the novel topical combination product provided 91% efficacy against Ancylostoma braziliense, ≥ 99% efficacy against Ancylostoma tubaeforme, and >97% efficacy against Toxocara cati. Similarly, excellent efficacy was established against Taenia taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum and Diplopylidium spp. as demonstrated by >97% and up to 100% reductions of cestode counts in the treated cats when compared to the untreated controls (P<0.01). All cats accepted the treatment well based on health observations post-treatment and daily health observations. No adverse experiences or other health problems were observed throughout the studies. The results of this series of controlled studies demonstrated high efficacy and excellent acceptability of the novel topical combination formulation of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel against a broad range of feline intestinal nematode and cestode infections.

The parasitic nematode Ancylostoma ceylanicum is common in dogs, cats and humans throughout Asia, inhabiting the small intestine and possibly leading to iron-deficient anaemia in those infected. It has previously been discovered in domestic dogs in Australia and this is the first report of A. ceylanicum in wild canids. Wild dogs (dingoes and dingo hybrids) killed in council control operations (n = 26) and wild dog scats (n = 89) were collected from the Wet Tropics region around Cairns, Far North Queensland. All of the carcasses (100%) were infected with Ancylostoma caninum and three (11.5%) had dual infections with A. ceylanicum. Scats, positively sequenced for hookworm, contained A. ceylanicum, A. caninum and Ancylostoma braziliense, with A. ceylanicum the dominant species in Mount Windsor National Park, with a prevalence of 100%, but decreasing to 68% and 30.8% in scats collected from northern and southern rural suburbs of Cairns, respectively. Due to the ability of A. ceylanicum to cause a patent infection in humans, the zoonotic risk arising from this wild dog reservoir to communities in the Wet Tropics should be determined.

Besides presenting zoonotic potential, helminths of cats are responsible for gastrointestinal, hepatic, and pulmonary diseases. In order to identify the helminthic fauna, prevalence, mean intensity of parasitism (MIP), and mean abundance population (MAP), 146 cats from the metropolitan area of Cuiabá, Midwestern Brazil, were necropsied. In 98 these animals, 12 species of helminths were identified, comprising (species, prevalence, MIP, and MAP, respectively): nematodes (Ancylostoma braziliense [50,68% - 53,64 - 27,18], Ancylostoma tubaeforme [10,27% - 3,6 - 0,37], Toxocara cati [4,11% - 28,33 - 1,16], Physaloptera praeputialis [2,05% - 6,67 - 0,14], Capillaria feliscati [3,42% - 7,4 - 0,25], and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus [1,37%]); cestodes (Spirometra mansonoides [4,11% - 2,0 - 0,08], Dipylidium caninum [3,42% - 5,2 - 0,18], and Taenia taeniformis [0,68% - 1,0 - 0,01]); trematodes (Platynosomum fastosum [26,03% - 179,53 - 46,73]); acanthocephalans (Centrorhynchus erraticus [3,42% - 3,2 - 0,11]). Ancylostoma spp., and P. fastosum were the most prevalent with the highest MIP and MAP. We observed the presence of species of helminths with zoonotic potential. This is the first time cats parasitized with Centrorhynchus erraticus are reported in the Americas. That genus is commonly observed in wild animals.