[Zoonotic potential of intestinal helminth infections in stray dogs from City of Havana].

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the zoonotic potential of the 461 stray dogs from the City of Havana, as well as, the prevalence of intestinal helminth infection in two periods. The identified helminths were Ancylostoma spp. in 97 dogs (21, 04%), Dipylidium caninum in 75 (16, 26%). and Toxocara canis in 91 dos (19, 73%). Ancylostoma spp. infections were the most frequent in the rainy season, that is, May to October, 2005 (P < 0,01) whereas D. caninum was more common in the dry season, that is, November to April, 2006. (p < 0,01). T. canis was more prevalent in young animals (< 1 year), but in older dogs (> 1 year) were Ancylostoma spp. and D. caninum. Female dogs were more infected by T. canis, and D. caninum was more frequent in males. The most observed association was A. caninum--T. canis. These results allowed updating knowledge about helminth species affecting stray dogs and some characteristics of these infections, all of which can serve as a warning about this zoonotic potential.