Conference Agenda
Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).
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Daily Overview |
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CP2.1: Canines 10 minute talks sponsored by Elanco Location: Lecture Theatre 2 Session Chair: Swaid Abdullah, The University of Queensland Session Chair: Liisa Ahlstrom, Elanco | |
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Retrospective screening reveals the rare occurrence of zoonotic Strongyloides stercoralis in dogs from temperate Australia, 2014-2024 1: Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Australia; 2: Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Sydney, Australia; 3: New South Wales Health Pathology, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Level 3 Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; 4: School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode infecting humans and dogs, but its occurrence in dogs from temperate, traditionally non-endemic regions is poorly characterised, partly due to limited veterinary diagnostics. Recent reports from metropolitan areas raise concern that infections may be under-recognised. This study screened archived canine faecal DNA (n = 448) collected between 2014 and 2024 from two university veterinary teaching hospitals in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, using a highly sensitive 18S rRNA real-time qPCR (limit of detection: two DNA copies). One sample (0.02%) was positive, containing approximately 6.8 × 10³ 18S rDNA copies, equivalent to 3.2 Strongyloides ratti third-stage larvae per 250 mg of faeces. Deep amplicon sequencing of partial cox1 and 18S rDNA (HVR‑I and HVR‑IV) confirmed S. stercoralis potentially circulating between dogs and humans. The positive sample originated from a Border Collie puppy with gastrointestinal signs. Although rare, detection confirms the parasite’s presence in companion dogs in a temperate urban setting. These findings support the utility of 18S rDNA-based qPCR for retrospective surveillance and its inclusion in molecular diagnostic panels for canine gastrointestinal disease and highlight the need for expanded surveillance in non-endemic regions. | |