Prevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiand Other Gastrointestinal Parasites in Domestic Cats from Households in Thika Region, Kenya

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites of domestic cats (Felis catus) not only cause morbidity but are also potential zoonotic agents. The current study aimed at establishing the prevalence of GIT parasites in cats kept by households in Thika region, Kenya. Fecal samples were collected randomly from 103 cats and analyzed for presence of parasites using standard parasitological methods. In descending order, the prevalence of the detected protozoa parasites was Isospora spp. 43.7% (95% CI: 40.4–47%), Cryptosporidium spp. 40.8% (95% CI: 37.5–44.1%), Toxoplasma gondii 7.8% (95% CI: 4.5–11.1%), and Entamoeba spp. 2.9% (95% CI: 1.6–6.2%). The prevalence of the observed helminths was Strongyloides stercoralis 43.7% (95% CI: 40.4–47%), Toxocara cati 23.3% (95% CI: 20–26.6%), Ancylostoma spp. 9.7% (95% CI: 6.4–13%), Dipylidium caninum 8.7% (95% CI: 5.4–12.0%), and Acanthocephala spp. 1.9% (95% CI: 1–4.2%). The percentage of cats excreting at least one species of parasite was 73.2% (95% CI = 69.9–76.5%). The study shows that the cats have high spectrum (9) of parasites which are known to affect the cat's health and some are of zoonotic significance.

High-throughput multiplex qPCRs for the surveillance of zoonotic species of canine hookworms

“…The canine hookworms Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala are widely distributed soil-transmitted helminths causing morbidity in dogs and are agents of zoonoses [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Each hookworm species differs considerably in its geographical distribution, life cycle, biology, pathogenic impact on both canine and human hosts, zoonotic potential and response to anthelminthic treatment [1,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…For instance, A. caninum is endemic in wet and dry regions of the tropics and subtropics globally, while A. ceylanicum thrives in the wet tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia and Oceania. Ancylostoma braziliense appears limited in distribution to a narrow latitudinal areas spanning approximately 5˚N to 10˚S of Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, northern Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia [1][2][3][4][5]. Conversely, U. stenocephala, inhabits predominantly temperate and colder climate such as those of Europe, Canada, southern Australia and the United States of America [14,36].…”

Strongyloides spp. in cats: a review of the literature and the first report of zoonotic Strongyloides stercoralis in colonic epithelial nodular hyperplasia in cats

“…Fourteen additional records were identified from review articles, book chapters and unstructured google searches. In total 6 review articles [ 10 , 34 – 38 ], 6 experimental studies [ 19 , 21 , 23 , 28 , 29 ], 13 surveys [ 14 , 16 , 18 , 22 , 30 – 32 , 39 – 44 ] and 6 case reports [ 15 , 17 , 24 – 27 ] were reviewed.…”

“…For this reason, S. stercoralis was not considered a normal parasite of cats and the assignment of S. felis as the species of cats remained accepted by many in the field. However, in the last 11 years, there have been reports of S. stercoralis in cats from Qatar, Brazil and Kenya [ 30 – 32 ]. These reports do not highlight that S. felis and not S. stercoralis was previously believed to occur in cats and the studies, which all lack molecular confirmation of species identification, provide little information regarding how the species was identified.…”

“… [ 41 ] England 131 1.5 ni Flotation Strongyloides sp. [ 40 ] India ni 20 ni ni S. felis [ 14 ] Japan 105 3.8 Necropsy Flotation S. planiceps [ 22 ] Kenya 103 43.7 Litter box collection Formalin-ether sedimentation S. stercoralis a [ 32 ] Qatar 824 18.4 Environmental collection Formalin-ether sedimentation S. stercoralis a [ 30 ] Romania 414 3.4 Litter box collection Flotation Strongyloides sp. [ 43 ] Thailand 300 0.7 ni Formalin-ether sedimentation Strongyloides sp.…”