Major Parasitic Zoonoses Associated with Dogs and Cats in Europe

G. Baneth*, S. M. Thamsborg, D. Otranto, J. Guillot, R. Blaga, P. Deplazes, L. Solano-Gallego

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

132 Scopus citations

Abstract

Some of the most important zoonotic infectious diseases are associated with parasites transmitted from companion animals to man. This review describes the main parasitic zoonoses in Europe related to dogs and cats, with particular emphasis on their current epidemiology. Toxoplasmosis, leishmaniosis, giardiosis, echinococcosis, dirofilariosis and toxocariosis are described from the animal, as well as from the human host perspectives, with an emphasis on parasite life cycle, transmission, pathogenicity, prevention and identification of knowledge gaps. In addition, priorities for research and intervention in order to decrease the risks and burden of these diseases are presented. Preventing zoonotic parasitic infections requires an integrated multidisciplinary ‘One Health’ approach involving collaboration between veterinary and medical scientists, policy makers and public health officials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S54-S74
JournalJournal of Comparative Pathology
Volume155
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 The Authors

Keywords

  • Europe
  • companion animal
  • parasite
  • zoonotic disease

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