Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in feces collected from stray dogs and in public parks in the city of Anápolis-Goiás

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in the feces of dogs and soil in public squares and parks in Anápolis. The presence of parasites in public squares and parks is primarily attributed to domesticated dogs that do not receive antiparasitic treatment and stray dogs, which can act as reservoirs for intestinal parasites with the potential to infect humans. Visceral Larva Migrans (VLM) and Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM) are of great importance when addressing gastrointestinal parasites, representing specific forms of parasitic infection that can affect humans. Additionally, other parasites such as Trichuris trichiura, Dipylidium caninum, and Giardia spp. are highlighted for their potential to cause intestinal infections. The transmission of these parasites is facilitated by improper human practices, such as handling food with dirty hands after contact with animals or contaminated soil. Of the 89 analyzed samples of shelter dog feces, 30.3% showed one or more parasites, with Toxocara canis being the most frequently found (24.7%). Associations between Ancylostoma sp and Toxocara canis were also observed in 3.37% of dogs. In the 105 feces soil samples collected in parks and squares, 29.5% tested positive, with emphasis on Ancylostoma canis. This underscores the importance of raising awareness among the population regarding the transmission of these parasites and the need to control the population of stray animals in public spaces, as well as the preventive deworming of dogs to reduce environmental contamination.