Prevalence and Risk Factors for Cryptosporidium spp. In Domestic Cats Around Mexico

Abstract

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in cats varies between 1 and 74%, however, cat's role as transmitter agent of Cryptosporidium spp. is not clear. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium spp. in domestic cats around Mexico. 614 domestic cat stools around 31 States in Mexico, were collected. Cats of all breeds, both genres, sane and ill, and of all ages were included. The samples were analyzed with the cold modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for the detection of oocysts of Crypstosporidium spp. in stool samples. The Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the variables and Odds Ratio was applied for determining risk factors with an alpha of P ≤ 0.05. Of 614 evaluated samples, 319 (51.9%) were positive to Cryptosporidium spp. The fact of not bathing the cat was associated (Chi2 = 15.51, P = 0.001) to be positive to Cryptosporidium spp. and it was a risk factor (OR = 1.60, P = 0.003). Small size in felines was associated to the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. (Chi2 = 5.78 P = 0.05), whereas the medium-sized cats have low possibilities of presenting Cryptosporidium (OR = 0.68, P = 0.01). The kind of hair, the breed, body condition, hunting habits, access to the outside, and the consistency and findings in the stools, were not associated and were not risk factors. There exists a high prevalence (51.9%) of Cryptosporidium spp. in domestic cats around Mexico.The risk factor for the presence of the protozoan in stools was not to bathe the cat.