Canine echinococcosis in northwest Libya: Assessment of coproantigen ELISA, and a survey of infection with analysis of risk-factors

Date

2005-6

Type

Article

Journal title

Author(s)

I E Buishi
Philip S Craig

Abstract

In order to determine the prevalence and risk factors of canine echinococcosis in different endemic localities in the Tripoli area of northwest Libya, stray dogs were examined post-mortem, and owned dogs screened for Echinococcus granulosus infection using genus specific coproantigen ELISA. The prevalence of E. granulosus infection at necropsy in stray dogs was 25.8% (15/58, 95% CI 15.3-39%) and 21.6% of owned dogs tested were positive by coproantigen ELISA. Sheepdogs appeared to have a significantly higher copro-positive prevalence ( 19/19 positive, p=0.003), compared to 23.6% of other dog classes.