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Seasonal variation and persistence of tungiasis infestation in dogs in an endemic community, Bahia State (Brazil): longitudinal study

  • Arthropods and Medical Entomology - Original Paper
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Abstract

Tungiasis is a zoonosis neglected by authorities, health professionals, and affected populations. Domestic, synanthropic, and sylvatic animals serve as reservoirs for human infestation, and dogs are usually considered a main reservoir in endemic communities. To describe the seasonal variation and the persistence of tungiasis in dogs, we performed quarterly surveys during a period of 2 years in a tourist village in the municipality of Ilhéus, Bahia State, known to be endemic for tungiasis. Prevalence in dogs ranged from 62.1% (43/66) in August 2013 to 82.2% (37/45) in November 2014, with no significant difference (p = 0.06). The prevalence of infestation remained high, regardless of rainfall patterns. Of the 31 dogs inspected at all surveys, period prevalence was 94% (29/31; 95% CI 79.3–98.2%) and persistence of infestation indicator [PII] was high (median PII = 6 surveys, q1 = 5, q3 = 7). Dogs < 1 year of age had a higher mean prevalence of 84.5%, as compared with 69.3% in the older dogs. No significant difference was found between the risk of infestation and age or sex (p = 0.61). Our data indicate that canine tungiasis persisted in the area during all periods of the year. The seasonal variation described in human studies from other endemic areas was not observed, most probably due to different rainfall patterns throughout the year. The study has important implications for the planning of integrated control measures in both humans and animal reservoirs, considering a One Health approach.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia—FAPESB (Bahia State Research Support Foundation) and the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC) for granting scholarships. We would like to thank Ford Harvey and Donald Pfarrer for help with the English version of this paper. Jorg Heukelbach (class 1) and Christiane M. B. M da Rocha (class 2) are research fellows from the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, Post-Graduate Program in Animal Science, State University of Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Bairro Salobrinho, IIhéus, Bahia, CEP 45662-900, Brazil

    Tatiani Vitor Harvey & Renata Santiago Alberto Carlos

  2. Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Prof. Costa Mendes 1608, 5. andar, Fortaleza, CE, 60430-140, Brazil

    Jorg Heukelbach

  3. Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University – JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

    Jorg Heukelbach

  4. Department of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade State University of Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Bairro Salobrinho, Ilhéus, Bahia, CEP 45662-900, Brazil

    Maíra Siles Assunção & Thalna Magalhães Fernandes

  5. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Aquenta Sol, Lavras, Minas Gerais, CEP 37200-000, Brazil

    Christiane Maria Barcellos Magalhães da Rocha

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  1. Tatiani Vitor Harvey
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  2. Jorg Heukelbach
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  3. Maíra Siles Assunção
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  4. Thalna Magalhães Fernandes
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  5. Christiane Maria Barcellos Magalhães da Rocha
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  6. Renata Santiago Alberto Carlos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tatiani Vitor Harvey.

Ethics declarations

All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Board for Animals of the State University of Santa Cruz (protocol number 06/2013).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Harvey, T.V., Heukelbach, J., Assunção, M.S. et al. Seasonal variation and persistence of tungiasis infestation in dogs in an endemic community, Bahia State (Brazil): longitudinal study. Parasitol Res 118, 1711–1718 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06314-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06314-w

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