| dc.description.abstract | A cross sectional study was conducted in Moroto
and Bukedea districts of Uganda from May to September
2013 to determine the prevalence and risk factors of
Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs. Fresh dog faecal
samples were collected, preserved in 70 % ethanol, and later
screened for presence of taeniid eggs using zinc chloride floatation
method. Positive samples were confirmed by a copro-
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for E. granulosus using
NADH dehydrogenase sub-unit 1 gene (NADH1) as a target
molecular marker. Structured questionnaires and focus group
discussions were used to collect quantitative and qualitative
data for risk factor identification. Study sub-counties were
selected by simple random sampling. Overall apparent prevalence
of taeniid infection in dogs of 14.9 % (39/261, confidence
interval 10.6–19.2) in both districts was recorded using
the faecal floatation test. The sensitivity of the faecal floatation
test was found to be 78 % (25/32), while the specificity was
93%(215/229). Copro-PCR results revealed a true prevalence
of 14.4% (9.91–19.0, 95 % CI) in dogs in Moroto district and
7.4 % (2.14–12.60, 95 % CI) in Bukedea district. The overall
true prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) was 12.2 %
(8.70–15.76, 95 % CI) in both districts. The major risk factors
identified using logistic regression were uncontrolled access
of dogs to animal slaughter facilities, higher cattle herd sizes | en_US |
