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Hookworm Infections in Carnivores in Iran: A One Health Concern Publisher Pubmed



Sharifdini M1 ; Eslahi AV2 ; Pirestani M3 ; Asghari A2 ; Sgroi G4 ; Hajialilo E5 ; Karimi AG6, 7 ; Diakou A8 ; Badri M2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
  2. 2. Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
  5. 5. Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
  6. 6. Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
  7. 7. Cardiovascular Imaging Core Facility, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  8. 8. Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

Source: BMC Veterinary Research Published:2025


Abstract

Background: Dogs and cats can harbor hookworms, which may contribute to zoonotic infections. This study investigates hookworm infections in carnivores from the Caspian Sea littoral region of northern Iran, focusing on molecular and morphological identification. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2015 and October 2024, involving 172 road-killed carnivores including 78 stray dogs (Canis familiaris), 62 golden jackals (Canis aureus), and 32 stray cats (Felis catus), all collected from the northern Iranian provinces of Guilan and Mazandaran. Results: Overall, 46 (26.74%) animals tested positive for hookworms. Among these, Ancylostoma caninum was found in dogs and golden jackals, Ancylostoma tubaeforme in cats, and Uncinaria stenocephala in dogs and golden jackals. Morphological analyses confirmed key differences between A. caninum and A. tubaeforme, including size, esophageal features, and bursal structure. Molecular identification was supported by 18S, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA, 28S, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COX1) gene sequences, demonstrating high similarity with previously identified isolates in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and COX1 sequences revealed distinct clades for each species, with A. caninum and A. tubaeforme clustering together in the Ancylostoma spp. group. Conclusion: These results provide important insights into hookworm diversity and highlight the zoonotic risks posed by these parasites. © The Author(s) 2025.
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