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

doi:10.2478/macvetrev-2026-0012

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Zoonotic Potential of Intestinal Parasites in Shelter Dogs in North Macedonia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Macedonian Veterinary Review

Volume 49 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: Bojana Chapkunovska, Ljubica Rashikj, Ivana Shikoska, Iskra Cvetkovikj, Jane Vlahov, Betim Xhekaj, Elena Atanaskova Petrov, Jovana Stefanovska and Aleksandar Cvetkovikj

Open Access

|Mar 2026

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.

References

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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Andrada Hermina, R., Larisa, I., Gabriela, M., Dumitru, A., 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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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 practice. Ethiop Vet J. 24(1): 93-115. https://doi.org/10.4314/evj.v24i1.7
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zajac, A.M., Conboy, G.A., Little, S.E., Reichard, M.V. (2021). Veterinary clinical parasitology. 9th ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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 T. 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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Traversa, D. (2011). Are we paying too much attention to cardio-pulmonar y nematodes and neglecting old-fashioned wor ms like Trichuris vulpis? Parasites Vectors. 4, 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-4-32 PMid:21385441 PMCid:PMC3063211
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Marchetti, V., Macchioni, F., Gori, E., Venco, L., Papini, R.A. (2023). Linguatula ser rata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound impor ted 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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lefkaditis, M., Zapantes, I., Giannouli, A. (2023). Management of Linguatula serrata infestation in a dog from Greece: a case report. J Hell Vet Med Soc. 74(3): 6281-6285. https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.30904
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Venkatesan, A., Jimenez Castro, P.D., Morosetti, A., Horvath, H., Chen, R. et al. (2023). Molecular evidence of widespread benzimidazole dr ug 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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
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
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2026-0012 | Journal eISSN: 1857-7415

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 85 - 96

Submitted on: Jun 30, 2025

Accepted on: Sep 5, 2025

Published on: Mar 3, 2026

Published by: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 2 issues per year

Keywords:

Related subjects:

Life sciences, other,

Medicine,

Basic medical science,

Basic medical science, other,

Veterinary medicine

© 2026 Bojana Chapkunovska, Ljubica Rashikj, Ivana Shikoska, Iskra Cvetkovikj, Jane Vlahov, Betim Xhekaj, Elena Atanaskova Petrov, Jovana Stefanovska, Aleksandar Cvetkovikj, published by Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 49 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)