Original Scientific Article
Prevalence, risk factors, and zoonotic potential of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs in North Macedonia: a cross-sectional study
Bojana Chapkunovska ,
Ljubica Rashikj ,
Ivana Shikoska ,
Iskra Cvetkovikj ,
Jane Vlahov ,
Betim Xhekaj ,
Elena Atanaskova Petrov ,
Jovana Stefanovska ,
Aleksandar Cvetkovikj *

Mac Vet Rev 2026; 49 (1): i - xii

10.2478/macvetrev-2026-0012

Received: 30 June 2025

Received in revised form: 27 August 2025

Accepted: 05 September 2025

Available Online First: 23 February 2026

Published on: 15 March 2026

Correspondence: Aleksandar Cvetkovikj, acvetkovic@fvm.ukim.edu.mk
PDF HTML

Abstract

Intestinal parasites in shelter dogs present significant health risk to animals and humans. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence, risk factors, and zoonotic implications of intestinal parasites in 156 shelter dogs across all eight regions of North Macedonia. Fecal samples were analyzed using fecal smears and flotation techniques. The overall prevalence was 70.51%, with hookworms (Ancylostomatidae) (36.54%), Giardia spp. (24.36%), and Trichuris spp. (21.79%) identified as the most prevalent parasites. Significant risk factors included young age, mixed breed, and regional variations. Although the treatment reduced infection rates, regional disparities remained. These findings underscore the urgent need for standardized deworming protocols and One Health strategies to mitigate zoonotic risks

Keywords: Ancylostomatidae, anthelmintics, Giardia spp., Trichuris spp., zoonosis


References

  1. Scaramozzino, P., Carvelli, A., Iacoponi, F., De Liberato, C. (2018). Endoparasites in household and shelter dogs from central Italy. Int J Vet Sci Med. 6(1): 45-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijvsm.2018.04.003 PMid:30255077 PMCid:PMC6148681
  2. Szwabe, K., Błaszkowska, J. (2017). Stray dogs and cats as potential sources of soil contamination with zoonotic parasites. Ann Agric Environ Med. 24(1): 39-43. https://doi.org/10.5604/12321966.1234003 PMid:28378987
  3. Raza, A., Rand, J., Qamar, A.G., Jabbar, A., Kopp, S. (2018). Gastrointestinal parasites in shelter dogs: Occurrence, pathology, treatment and risk to shelter workers. Animals (Basel). 8(7): 108. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8070108 PMid:30004469 PMCid:PMC6070783
  4. Andrada Hermina, R., Larisa, I., Gabriela, M., Dumitru, , Liviu, M. (2023). The prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs from shelters in Constanța County-Romania. Sci Pap J Vet Ser. 66(4): 33-39. https://doi.org/10.61900/SPJVS.2023.04.06 
  5. Simonato, G., Frangipane di Regalbono, A., Cassini, R., Traversa, D., Beraldo, P. et al. (2015). Copromicroscopic and molecular investigations on intestinal parasites in kenneled dogs. Parasitol Res. 114(5): 1963-1970. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4385-3 PMid:25687526
  6. Ilić, T., Nišavić, U., Gajić, B., Nenadović, K., Ristić, M. et al. (2021). Prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs from public shelters in Serbia. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 76, 101653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101653 PMid:33930631
  7. Xhaxhiu, D., Kusi, I., Rapti, D., Kondi, E., Postoli, R. et al. (2011). Principal intestinal parasites of dogs in Tirana, Albania. Parasitol Res. 108(2): 341-353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2067-8 PMid:20878182
  8. Radev, V., Lalkovski, N., Zhelyazkov, P., Kostova, T., Sabev, P. et al. (2016). Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and Dirofilaria spp. in stray dogs from some regions in Bulgaria. Bulg J Vet Med. 19(1): 57-62. https://doi.org/10.15547/bjvm.872 
  9. Symeonidou, I., Gelasakis, A.V., Arsenopoulos, K.V., Schaper, R., Papadopoulos, E. (2017). Regression models to assess the risk factors of canine gastrointestinal parasitism. Vet Parasitol. 248, 54-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.10.019 PMid:29173542
  10. Tull, A., Moks, E., Laurimaa, L., Keis, M., Süld, K. (2019). Endoparasite infection hotspots in Estonian urban areas. J Helminthol. 94, e104. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X19000920  PMid:31679531
  11. Idrissi, H., Khatat, S.E.H., Duchateau, L., Kachani, M., Daminet, S. et al. (2022). Prevalence, risk factors and zoonotic potential of intestinal parasites in dogs from four locations in Morocco. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 34, 100775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100775 PMid:36041810
  12. Tadesse, M., Ayana, D., Kumsa, B., Fromsa, A. (2020). Zoonotic helminth parasites of dog in Bishoftu Town, central Ethiopia: prevalence, dog owners’ knowledge and control Ethiop Vet J. 24(1): 93-115. https://doi.org/10.4314/evj.v24i1.7 
  13. Bayou, K., Terefe, G., Kumsa, B. (2025). Epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in four districts of central Ethiopia: Prevalence and risk factors. PLoS One. 20(1): e0316539. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316539 PMid:39808647 PMCid:PMC11731701
  14. Lee, Y.J., Kim, B., Kwak, D., Seo, M.G. (2024). Current status of intestinal parasite infections in fecal samples of dogs in Korea. Parasites Hosts Dis. 62(4): 438-449. https://doi.org/10.3347/PHD.24024 PMid:39622655 PMCid:PMC11614483
  15. Bastakoti, R., Pathak, C.R., Pandey, A., Acharya, A. (2023). Prevalence of zoonotic parasites of street dogs and its threats in Madi Valley, Chitwan, Nepal. Indian J Vet Public Heal. 9(3): 47-50. https://doi.org/10.62418/ijvph.9.3.2023.47-50 
  16. Regidor-Cerrillo, J.,Arranz-Solís, D.,Moreno-Gonzalo, J., Pedraza-Díaz, S., Gomez-Bautista, M. et al. (2020). Prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in stray and farm dogs from Spain. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 29(3): e014920. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612020063 PMid:32935772
  17. Tull, A., Valdmann, H., Rannap, R., Kaasiku, T., Tammeleht, E. et al. (2022). Free-ranging rural dogs are highly infected with helminths, contaminating environment nine times more than urban dogs. J Helminthol. 96, e19. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X22000116 PMid:35257647
  18. Szabová, E., Juriš, P., Miterpáková, M., Antolová, D., Papajová, I. et al. (2007). Prevalence of important zoonotic parasites in dog populations from the Slovak Republic. Helminthologia 44, 170-176. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11687-007-0027-3 
  19. Zajac, A.M., Conboy, G.A., Little, S.E., Reichard, M.V. (2021). Veterinary clinical parasitology. 9th ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
  20. Jarošová, J., Antolová, D., Lukáč, B., Mad’ari, A. (2021). A survey of intestinal helminths of dogs in Slovakia with an emphasis on zoonotic species. Animals (Basel). 11(10): 3000. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11103000 PMid:34680018 PMCid:PMC8532715
  21. Campanale, D.N., Walden, H.D.S., Garcia, L.N., Crawford, P.C., Hernandez, J.A. (2023). Zoonotic and non-zoonotic intestinal parasites in shelter dogs at admission and before discharge. J Shelter Med Community Anim Heal. 2(1): 9. https://doi.org/10.56771/jsmcah.v2.9 
  22. Sanchez-Thevenet, P., Carmena, D., Adell-Aledón, M., Dacal, E., Arias, E. et al. (2019). High prevalence and diversity of zoonotic and other intestinal parasites in dogs from Eastern Spain. Vector-Borne Zoonotic Dis. 19(12): 915-922. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2019.2468 PMid:31314710
  23. Sommer, M.F., Beck, R., Ionita, M., Stefanovska, J., Vasić, A. et al. (2015). Multilocus sequence typing of canine Giardia duodenalis from South Eastern European countries. Parasitol Res. 114(6): 2165-2174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4405-3 PMid:25804971
  24. Nikolić, A., Klun, I., Bobić, B., Ivović, V., Vujanić, M. et al. (2011). Human giardiasis in Serbia: asymptomatic vs symptomatic infection. Parasite. 18(2): 197-201. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2011182197 PMid:21678797 PMCid:PMC3671421
  25. Omeragić, J., Alagić, D., Šerić-Haračić, S., Kapo, N., Klarić Soldo, D. et al. (2021). Zoonotic endoparasites in dogs from the Bosnian-Podrinje canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mac Vet Rev. 44(1): 63-70. https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2021-0011 
  26. Dias-Correia, T.P.,Neves,L.B.das,Bittencourt-Oliveira,F., Giglio, G.C.B., Pereira, T.C. et al. (2023). Diversity of helminths with zoonotic potential and molecular characterization of canis infecting domestic dogs from locations of Amazon and Atlantic Forest Brazilian biomes. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 32(4): e012723. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612023078  PMid:38055439 PMCid:PMC10704884
  27. Traversa, D. (2011). Are we paying too much attention to cardio-pulmonary nematodes and neglecting old-fashioned worms like Trichuris vulpis? Parasites Vectors. 4, 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-4-32 PMid:21385441 PMCid:PMC3063211
  28. Castro, P.D.J., Howell, S.B., Schaefer, J.J., Avramenko, R.W., Gilleard, J.S. et al. (2019). Multiple drug resistance in the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum: an emerging threat? Parasites Vectors. 12(1): 576. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3828-6 PMid:31818311 PMCid:PMC6902405
  29. Sonja, O., Sofija, K-R., B, S., Dragan, B. (2003). Sarcocystiosis in dogs in several regions of Serbia. Acta Vet Brno. 53(1): 19-26. https://doi.org/10.2298/AVB0301019O 
  30. Berberich, M., Grochow, T., Roßner, N., Schmäschke, R., Rentería-Solís, Z. (2022). Linguatula serrata in an imported dog in Germany: Single-case or emerging disease? Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 30, 100717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100717 PMid:35431073
  31. Marchetti, V., Macchioni, F., Gori, E., Venco, L., Papini, R.A. (2023). Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview. Open Vet J. 13(8): 1044-1055. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12 PMid:37701671 PMCid:PMC10495093
  32. Lefkaditis, M., Zapantes, I., Giannouli, A. (2023). Management of Linguatula serrata infestation in a dog from Greece: a case J Hell Vet Med Soc. 74(3): 6281-6285. https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.30904 
  33. Oryan, A., Sadjjadi, S.M., Mehrabani, D., Rezaei, M. (2008). The status of Linguatula serrata infection of stray dogs in Shiraz, Iran. Comp Clin Path. 17, 55-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-007-0707-x 
  34. Baker, E., DeBolt, R., Smith, E., Gerhold, R., Wyrosdick, H. (2025). Fecal prevalence and diversity of endoparasites in shelter dogs and cats from East Tennessee. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 58, 101212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2025.101212 PMid:40049999
  35. Omeragić, J., Kapo, N., Škapur, V., Softić, A., Goletić, Š., Šaljić, E., Goletić, T. (2024). Parasites in wildlife in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mac Vet Rev. 47(1): 71-79. https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2024-0017 
  36. Rashikj, L., Cvetkovikj, A., Nikolovski, M., Cvetkovikj, I., Stefanovska, J. (2022). Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Cattle and Sheep from North Macedonia. Mac Vet Rev. 45(1): 35-41. https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0011 
  37. Tamponi, C., Varcasia, A., Pinna, S., Melis, E., Melosu, V. et al. (2017). Endoparasites detected in faecal samples from dogs and cats referred for routine clinical visit in Sardinia, Italy. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 10, 13-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.07.001 PMid:31014584
  38. Jimenez Castro, P.D., Mansour, A., Charles, S., Hostetler, J., Settje, T. et al. (2020). Efficacy evaluation of anthelmintic products against an infection with the canine hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum) isolate Worthy 4.1F3P in dogs. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist. 13, 22-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2020.04.003 PMid:32403053 PMCid:PMC7214830
  39. Venkatesan, A., Jimenez Castro, P.D., Morosetti, A., Horvath, H., Chen, R. et al. (2023). Molecular evidence of widespread benzimidazole drug resistance in Ancylostoma caninum from domestic dogs throughout the USA and discovery of a novel β-tubulin benzimidazole resistance mutation. PLoS Pathog. 19(3): e1011146. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011146 PMid:36862759 PMCid:PMC10013918
  40. Balk, J.D., Mitchell, N.D., Hughes, J., Soto Nauto, P., Rossi, J. et al. (2023). Multiple anthelmintic drug resistant Ancylostoma caninum in foxhounds. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist. 22, 102-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpddr.2023.07.001 PMid:37481894 PMCid:PMC10391654


Copyright

©2026 Chapkunovska B. This is an open-access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

C
onflict of Interest Statement

The authors declared that they have no financial or non-financial conflict of interest regarding authorship and publication of this article.

Citation Information

Macedonian Veterinary Review. Volume 49, Issue 1, Pages i-xii, e-ISSN 1857-7415, p-ISSN 1409-7621, DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2026-0012