Urban public squares as potential hotspots of dog-human contact: A spatial analysis of zoonotic parasites detection in Gran Santiago, Chile

Abstract Zoonotic parasites are a major public health problem globally, representing a hazard to human health. The infections occur through contact with different parasite forms. Public squares are a common meeting place for people and dogs, becoming a risk area for transmission to other dogs and humans. A spatial analysis of zoonotic parasite distribution in urban public squares in Gran Santiago, Chile was performed to elucidate its importance, exploring spatial aggregation on positivity rates at commune level. A total of 170 stool samples were analysed; 54 (31.7%) were positive for gastrointestinal-zoonotic parasites. Positivity was detected in 27 (79.4%) squares. Diversity of parasite species was variable across sites. Toxocara canis was the most frequently detected (27 samples, 21/34 squares), followed by Toxascaris leonina (13 samples, 10/34 squares), cestode eggs (10 samples, 9/34 squares), Giardia sp. (6 samples, 5/34 squares), Ancylostomatidae-like eggs (4 samples, 4/34 squares), Cryptosporidium spp. (2 samples, 2/34 squares) and Entamoeba spp. (1 sample, 1/34 square). Spatial autocorrelation (SA) was observed at commune level. The local indicators of the spatial association test showed statistical significance for cestode eggs (p