RT Journal Article
T1 Zoonotic parasites in playgrounds in southern Spain: a one health approach
A1 Lorenzo-Rebenaque, Laura
A1 López-Fernández, Sandra
A1 Marco-Jiménez, Francisco
A1 Montoro-Dasi, Laura
A1 Marín, Clara
A1 Vega, Santiago
A1 Martínez-Manzanares, Eduardo
A1 Fariñas Guerrero, Fernando
K1 Mascotas
K1 Parásitos
K1 Zoonosis
K1 Enfermedades - Transmisión
AB Zoonotic parasitic diseases are considered a global threat to public health. In this sense, canines and felines may be infected by different cosmopolitan parasites, with playgrounds serving as an important focus of infection for humans, as well as domestic or wild animals. Knowledge of the epidemiological situation of parasites in animal reservoirs integrated into the environment, identifying the spread pathways, is a key element for an effective response to this threat. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the frequency of intestinal parasites with zoonotic potential in 120 playgrounds in the Malaga province (Spain). Samples were processed and analysed following standard parasitological procedures. Some 36.7% of playgrounds were parasite-positive with one or more zoonotic parasites. The most common parasites recovered were nematodes (60.0%), followed by protozoan species (33.3%) and cestodes (6.7%). In the parasite-positive playgrounds, Toxocara spp. (17.0 ± 3.5%) and Giardia duodenalis (17.0 ± 3.4%) were the most predominant parasites. In addition, 34.1% of playgrounds were infected with multiple parasites. Our results show a high presence of parasitic forms with zoonotic potential in playgrounds in Malaga, Spain. Due to the close contact between pets and humans in playgrounds, the potential zoonotic risk may increase if prevention and control measures are not designed.
PB MDPI
YR 2023
FD 2023-03-10
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26615
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/26615
LA eng
NO Lorenzo-Rebenaque L, López-Fernández S, Marco-Jiménez F, Montoro-Dasi L, Marin C, Vega S, Martínez-Manzanares E, Fariñas F. Zoonotic parasites in playgrounds in southern Spain: a one health approach. Microorganisms. 2023; 11(3):721. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030721
NO Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 20 ene 2026