Detection of Echinococcus granulosus coproantigens in dogs from Antakya Province, Turkey

Seventy-nine owned dogs (47 males and 32 females) from Antakya province were examined for E. granulosus by coproantigen ELISA (CHEKIT®-ECHINOTEST) between April to July in 2006. The estimated prevalence of E. granulosus infection was 8.86 % (7/79). Mean age of the dogs with E. granulosus was 2.3 years ranging from one to five years. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the prevalence between male and female dogs. A significant difference was detected between unrestrained (or free roaming) and indoor or chained dogs (p < 0.05). Although the prevalence of the E. granulosus infection in owned dogs in Antakya province is low, the incidence was quite high in the unrestrained and undewormed dogs. Therefore a preventive control programme in the dogs should be initiated in this region.