Prevalence of Enteric Zoonotic Agents in Cats less than 1 Year Old in Central New York State

Giardia in symptomatic dogs and cats in Europe--results of a European study

The percentage of Giardia infection in dogs and cats with gastrointestinal signs presenting to clinics was examined across Europe using the IDEXX SNAP Giardia Test (IDEXX Laboratories). Veterinary practices were asked to identify diarrheic and/or vomiting dogs and cats and to use the test on fecal samples from these animals. A selection for "asymptomatic" testing was also available on the data collection sheet for testing that occurred outside the target "symptomatic" population. Results from 8685 dogs and 4214 cats were submitted during the sampling period from 2005 to 2006. Analysis of the data showed 24.78% of the samples positive for Giardia among tested dogs and 20.3% among tested cats. The younger the dog or the cat, the higher the risk of being positive, peaking in the category below 6 months. The main clinical symptom, diarrhoea, also showed a higher risk of being positive, OR's of acute diarrhoea were almost double of those of the category "asymptomatic" for dogs or cats, the same range was calculated for chronic diarrhoea. Differences in participating countries were also seen. The risk of being positive was half or less in UK, Spain, Netherlands, Italy compared to Germany, and only in Belgium it showed to be higher. The results of this study show that Giardia is a common enteric agent among dogs and cats with gastrointestinal signs in Europe.

Burden of acute gastrointestinal illness in the Metropolitan region, Chile, 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and distribution of acute gastrointestinal illness (GI) in the Chilean population, describe its burden and presentation, identify risk factors associated with GI and assess the differences between a 7-day, 15-day and a 30-day recall period in the population-based burden of illness study design. Face-to-face surveys were conducted on 6047 randomly selected residents in the Metropolitan region, Chile (average response rate 75·8%) in 2008. The age-adjusted monthly prevalence of GI was 9·2%. The 7-day recall period provided annual incidence rate estimates about 2·2 times those of the 30-day recall period. Age, occupation, healthcare system, sewer system, antibiotic use and cat ownership were all found to be significant predictors for being a case. This study expands on the discussion of recall bias in retrospective population studies and reports the first population-based burden and distribution of GI estimates in Chile.

Toxoplasma gondii: epidemiology, feline clinical aspects, and prevention

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of birds and mammals. Cats are the only definitive host and thus the only source of infective oocysts, but other mammals and birds can develop tissue cysts. Although feline infections are typically asymptomatic, infection during human pregnancy can cause severe disease in the fetus. Cat owners can reduce their pets' exposure risk by keeping all cats indoors and not feeding them raw meat. Humans usually become infected through ingestion of oocyst-contaminated soil and water, tissue cysts in undercooked meat, or congenitally. Because of their fastidious nature, the passing of non-infective oocysts, and the short duration of oocyst shedding, direct contact with cats is not thought to be a primary risk for human infection.

Prevalence of Potentially Pathogenic Enteric Organisms in Clinically Healthy Kittens in the UK

Faecal samples were collected from 57 clinically healthy kittens presented for initial vaccination, in the UK. Routine bacteriological examination identified Salmonella species in one and Campylobacter species in five samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected the presence of Campylobacter species in a further four samples. Routine parasitological examination revealed Toxocara species ova in nine (including four kittens stated to have been administered an anthelmintic) and Isospora species in four samples. No Giardia or Cryptosporidium species were detected by routine methods. A Giardia species enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kit designed for use in cats was positive in three kittens. A similar test kit designed for use in humans was negative in all samples and produced negative results even when known positive samples were tested. Potentially pathogenic enteric organisms were detected in 19 kittens by routine methods and 26 (prevalence 45%) by all methods. The high prevalence in asymptomatic kittens highlights the possibility that the detection of these organisms in kittens with gastrointestinal disease may be an incidental finding.

Waterborne toxoplasmosis--recent developments

Humans become infected with Toxoplasma gondii mainly by ingesting uncooked meat containing viable tissue cysts or by ingesting food or water contaminated with oocysts from the feces of infected cats. Circumstantial evidence suggests that oocyst-induced infections in humans are clinically more severe than tissue cyst-acquired infections. Until recently, waterborne transmission of T. gondii was considered uncommon, but a large human outbreak linked to contamination of a municipal water reservoir in Canada by wild felids and the widespread infection of marine mammals in the USA provided reasons to question this view. The present paper examines the possible importance of T. gondii transmission by water.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora species infections in pet cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease

This study reports the prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora species in cats showing signs of gastrointestinal disease. Records from a United Kingdom commercial diagnostic laboratory between December 2003 and December 2005 were reviewed. Of 1355 cats, Cryptosporidium species oocysts were found in 13 cats (1%), Giardia species trophozoites in 74 (6%), and Isospora felis oocysts in 46 (3%). In a second group of 48 cats, prevalence of Giardia species was 15% using an immunoassay for detection of antigen compared to 4% detected with microscopy. Prevalence of Giardia (9%) and Isospora (9%) species was higher in cats less than 6 months old. Gender and breed did not affect prevalence. There was a trend for Cryptosporidium and Isospora species infections to be detected in late autumn and early winter. Regional differences in prevalence were not detected. None of these organisms show a characteristic pattern of clinical signs. This study demonstrates that enteric protozoal infection is common in domestic cats showing signs of alimentary disease.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for Giardia lamblia infection among children hospitalized for diarrhea in Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and to identify risk factors associated with Giardia lamblia infection in diarrheic children hospitalized for diarrhea in Goiânia, State of Goiás, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted and a comprehensive questionnaire was administered to the child's primary custodian. Fixed effects logistic regression was used to determine the association between infection status for G. lamblia and host, sociodemographic, environmental and zoonotic risk factors. A total of 445 fecal samples were collected and processed by the DFA methodology, and G. lamblia cysts were present in the feces of 44 diarrheic children (9.9%). A variety of factors were found to be associated with giardiasis in these population: age of children (OR, 1.18; 90% CI, 1.0 - 1.36; p = 0.052), number of children in the household (OR 1.45; 90% CI, 1.13 - 1.86; p = 0.015), number of cats in the household (OR, 1.26; 90% CI, 1.03 -1.53; p = 0.059), food hygiene (OR, 2.9; 90% CI, 1.34 - 6.43; p = 0.024), day-care centers attendance (OR, 2.3; 90% CI, 1.20 - 4.36; p = 0.034), living on a rural farm within the past six months prior hospitalization (OR, 5.4; CI 90%, 1.5 - 20.1; p = 0.03) and the number of household adults (OR, 0.59; 90% CI, 0.42 - 0.83; p = 0.012). Such factors appropriately managed may help to reduce the annual incidence of this protozoal infection in the studied population.

Prevalence of cryptosporidian infection in cats in Turin and analysis of risk factors

An epidemiological study was carried out to identify factors associated with the risk of cryptosporidian infection in cats. Faecal samples from 200 domestic cats were collected in the small animal clinic at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Turin (north-west Italy). The faecal samples were analysed for the presence of Cryptosporidium species oocysts using a centrifugation concentration floatation method. For each cat, age, sex, breed, indoor/outdoor status, diet, diarrhoea and presence of other enteric parasites were analysed for association with Cryptosporidium species infection. Cryptosporidia oocysts were identified in 49 cats (24.5%) aged from 2 months to 18 years. Statistical analysis revealed that four variables are significantly associated with an increased risk of infection: less than 1 year of age ( χ2=6.5, P=0.01), feeding home-cooked diet ( χ2=6.92, P<0.01), presence of diarrhoea ( χ2=4.34, P<0.037), and presence of other enteric parasites ( χ2=10.31, P<0.01). No statistical differences were found for sex ( χ2=1.56, P=0.21), breed ( χ2=0.78, P=0.38) and outdoor/indoor status ( χ2=1.49, P=0.22). Cryptosporidium species was the parasite most frequently detected in the cats surveyed.

Genotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Cryptosporidium sp. from domestic animals in Brazil

The purpose of the present study was the genetic characterization, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences of Cryptosporidium isolates obtained from different animal hosts in Brazil. Fecal samples containing Cryptosporidium oocysts were obtained from chickens, ducks, quails, guinea pigs, dairy calves, dogs and cats. For amplification of 18S rDNA sequences the Secondary-PCR product of the extracted DNA from fecal suspension of each studied animal was utilized. The primary genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium sp. was performed using RFLP with the enzymes SspI and VspI. DNA samples were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The results showed C. baileyi infecting two ducks and one quail and C. melagridis infecting one chicken. The sequences obtained from Cryptosporidium sp. infecting guinea pigs were not identified within groups of known Cryptosporidium species. The isolates found parasitizing cats and one dog were diagnosed as C. felis and C. canis, respectively. One isolate of calf origin was identified as C. parvum. The phylogenetic analysis showed clear distribution of isolates between two Cryptosporidium sp. groups according to their gastric or intestinal parasitism. A great genetic distance was observed between C. felis and C. canis from Brazil when compared to the reference sequences obtained from GenBank. The results obtained during this study constitute the first report of rDNA sequences from C. baileyi, C. meleagridis, C. felis, C. canis and C. parvum isolated in Brazil.

Zoonoses in Solid-Organ and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Numerous reports exist of the transmission of zoonoses to humans during and after solid-organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Donor-derived infections of numerous etiologies, including West Nile virus infection, Chagas disease, toxoplasmosis, rabies, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection, and infection due to Brucella species have been reported. Most zoonoses occur as a primary infection after transplantation, and immunocompromised patients are more likely to experience significant morbidity and mortality from these infections. Risks of zoonotic infection in the posttransplantation period could be reduced by patient education. Increased recognition of the risks of zoonoses, as well as the advent of molecular biology-based testing, will potentially augment diagnostic aptitude. Documented zoonotic infection as it affects transplantation will be the primary focus of this review.

Effect of vaccination on parvovirus antigen testing in kittens

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency and duration of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) vaccine-induced interference with fecal parvovirus diagnostic testing in cats.

DESIGN

Prospective controlled study.

ANIMALS

Sixty-four 8- to 10-week-old specific-pathogen-free kittens.

PROCEDURES

Kittens were inoculated once with 1 of 8 commercial multivalent vaccines containing modified-live virus (MLV) or inactivated FPV by the SC or intranasal routes. Feces were tested for parvovirus antigen immediately prior to vaccination, then daily for 14 days with 3 tests designed for detection of canine parvovirus. Serum anti-FPV antibody titers were determined by use of hemagglutination inhibition prior to vaccination and 14 days later.

RESULTS

All fecal parvovirus test results were negative prior to vaccination. After vaccination, 1 kitten had positive test results with test 1, 4 kittens had positive results with test 2, and 13 kittens had positive results with test 3. Only 1 kitten had positive results with all 3 tests, and only 2 of those tests were subjectively considered to have strongly positive results. At 14 days after vaccination, 31% of kittens receiving inactivated vaccines had protective FPV titers, whereas 85% of kittens receiving MLV vaccines had protective titers.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Animal shelter veterinarians should select fecal tests for parvovirus detection that have high sensitivity for FPV and low frequency of vaccine-related test interference. Positive parvovirus test results should be interpreted in light of clinical signs, vaccination history, and results of confirmatory testing. Despite the possibility of test interference, the benefit provided by universal MLV FPV vaccination of cats in high-risk environments such as shelters outweighs the impact on diagnostic test accuracy.

The first finding of a natural infection of Cryptosporidium muris in a cat

Little is known about the species of Cryptosporidium infecting cats. The limited number of genetic studies conducted to date, have all identified C. felis as the species of Cryptosporidium in cats. We report a morphological and genetic description of a natural C. muris infection in a cat. Oocysts were viable and were successfully transmitted to laboratory mice. Further studies are required to determine the range and prevalence of Cryptosporidium species infecting cats.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Fecal Shedding of Giardia spp. in Domestic Cats

The prevalence of cats shedding Giardia cysts (13.6%) in the present study was found to be higher than previously reported (1% to 11%) and may reflect a higher sensitivity for the diagnostic test used. The presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, coccidial oocysts, and a clinical history of chronic (&gt;2 weeks) gastrointestinal signs were significantly associated with the presence of Giardia spp. cysts in the feces. There were no associations between the presence of Giardia spp. cysts and type of housing, acute gastrointestinal signs, vomiting, gender, source of cat (i.e., animal shelter versus private breeder), or gastrointestinal parasites other than Cryptosporidium spp. and intestinal coccidial agents.

Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cats from Bogota (Colombia) and genotyping of isolates

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cats from Bogota (Colombia) was determined from fecal specimens and scrapings of duodenal and ileal mucosa screened by PCR. All PCR-positive specimens were sequenced to determine the genotype(s) present. Of 46 cats, 6 (13%) were positive for Cryptosporidium, 5 (11%) were infected with C. felis and one (2%) with C. muris. Three (6.5%) cats were infected with Giardia duodenalis Assemblage F. Eight (17%) cats were infected with four genotypes of E. bieneusi: genotype D-like (9%), K (4%), Peru 10 (2%), and Peru 5 (2%). This is the first report on the presence of zoonotic species/genotypes of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi in cats in Colombia.

Prevalence and risk factors for Giardia and coccidia species of pet cats in 2003-2004

Prevalence and risk factors for feline coccidia and Giardia species infections were estimated for cats visiting 434 Banfield hospitals in 40 states in 2003-2004. Evaluated were 631,021 cats making 1,456,712 office visits (encounters) and having 211,105 fecal examinations. The overall fecal prevalences of coccidia and Giardia species were 1.4% and 0.58%, respectively. Cats at increased risk of coccidia infection were under 4 years of age, intact, and seen during the summer, fall, and spring months compared to winter. Cats at increased risk of Giardia species infection were under 4 years of age. Those at decreased risk were mixed breed and seen during the summer, fall, and spring. The highest regional risk of coccidia and Giardia species infection was for cats in the East South Central region and Mountain region, respectively, compared to the South Pacific region.

Detection of Cryptosporidium felis and Giardia duodenalis Assemblage F in a cat colony

Eighteen cats, 3-6 months of age, bred and housed in a closed colony, were transferred from that colony and placed in separate stainless steel cages in a building designed for housing animals. At daily intervals, feces were collected from the litter pans in each cage, pans and cages were cleaned, and fresh food and water were provided. Beginning 4 weeks after the transfer, oocysts of Cryptosporidium were detected in the feces of two cats by brightfield microscopy. For the following 21 days, with minor exceptions, feces from each cat were collected daily and examined by immunofluorescence microscopy and by molecular methods that included DNA extraction, 18S rDNA gene amplification, and DNA sequence analysis. Within those 22 days, every cat was found to be infected with Cryptosporidium felis and excreted oocysts for 6-18 days. Eight of these 18 cats also excreted cysts of Giardia duodenalis Assemblage F, a genotype found only in cats. Six Giardia infections were concurrent during part of the patency with C. felis infections. Neither diarrhea nor other signs of illness were observed in any of the cats during this time. Because C. felis is zoonotic these findings suggest that care should be taken by veterinary health care providers and others in close contact with cats, even when cats appear healthy and asymptomatic.

Estimated prevalence of nematode parasitism among pet cats in the United States

OBJECTIVE

To estimate prevalences of roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infections in pet cats in the United States and identify risk factors for parasitism.

DESIGN

Retrospective period prevalence survey.

STUDY POPULATION

356,086 cats examined at 359 private veterinary hospitals during 2003.

PROCEDURE

Electronic medical records were searched to identify cats for which fecal flotation tests had been performed and to determine proportions of test results positive for roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Potential risk factors for roundworm and hookworm infection were identified by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 80,278 tests were performed on fecal samples from 66,819 cats. Calculated prevalences of roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infection were 2.92%, 0.63%, and 0.031%, respectively. Age, reproductive status, breed, and season were significant risk factors for roundworm infection, with cats < 4 years old; sexually intact cats; mixed-breed cats; and cats examined during the summer, fall, or winter more likely to be infected. Age, reproductive status, and season were significant risk factors for hookworm infection, with cats < 1 year old, sexually intact cats, and cats examined during the summer more likely to be infected. Regional differences in prevalences of roundworm and hookworm infection were found.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that prevalences of nematode infections among pet cats in the United States may be lower than previously suspected on the basis of prevalences reported among cats in humane shelters and those reported in more geographically focused studies.

Feline infectious disease control in shelters

No single factor determines whether a population remains healthy or disease rages out of control. All host and environmental factors taken together provide a number of tools to protect the vulnerable feline shelter population,however. A well-conceived infectious disease control program contributes to improved public perception, increased adoptions, and a healthier feline population within the shelter and in the community in general.

Cats as a risk for transmission of antimicrobial drug-resistant Salmonella

Cats can shed antimicrobial drug−resistant Salmonella serotypes in the environment.

To determine whether cats were a risk for transmission of Salmonella to humans, we evaluated the excretion of Salmonella by pet cats. Rectal-swab specimens were taken from 278 healthy house cats, from 58 cats that died of disease, and from 35 group-housed cats. Group-housed cats were kept in one room with three cat trays and a common water and feed tray. Eighteen (51.4%) of 35 group-housed cats, 5 (8.6%) of 58 diseased cats (5/58), and 1 (0.36%) of 278 healthy house cats excreted Salmonella. Salmonella isolates were of serotypes Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Bovismorbificans and 4:i:-. Acquired antimicrobial resistance was found in serotype Typhimurium (resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline; to ampicillin; and to chloramphenicol) and 4:i:- strains (resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim). Cats that excrete Salmonella can pose a public health hazard to people who are highly susceptible to Salmonella, such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised persons.

General concepts in zoonotic disease control

It is unlikely that human beings acquire a zoonotic infection from healthy cats without ectoparasites. The benefits of cat ownership to human mental health are well established. Veterinarians and physicians should work together closely to provide accurate information to cat owners so that logical decisions concerning cat ownership can be made by the owner.

Enteric protozoal diseases

The most common protozoal agents infecting the gastrointestinal tract of cats are Giardia spp, Cryptosporidium spp, Cystoisospora spp, Sarcocystis spp, Besnoitia spp, Hammondia spp, Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, and Tritrichomonas fetus.

A survey of gastrointestinal helminths in cats of the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in 135 cats over 1 year of age and inhabiting the metropolitan region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was investigated by necropsy. These animals had two distinct origins: 99 cats (29 males and 70 females) were derived by capture in public areas (feral/stray) and 36 (12 males and 24 females) from shelters. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites was 89.6%. The following parasites, with their respective prevalence in parenthesis, were found: Dipylidium caninum (52.6%), Ancylostoma braziliense (65.9%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (8.9%), Toxocara cati (25.2%), Toxascaris leonina (11.9%), Physaloptera praeputialis (9.6%). Concurrent infections with two or more parasites were recorded in 59.5% of the individuals. Of the 121 parasitized cats, 94 were feral/strays and 27 were from shelters. Among feral/stray cats, 80 were infected with A. braziliense (85%) and 17 of the shelter felids were infected with D. caninum (63%). Feral/stray cats had higher worm intensities (6411/94-68.2) than shelter cats (992/27-36.7). The helminth parasites most frequently found in feral/stray cats were Ancylostoma braziliense (47.5%) and D. caninum (47%) while in shelter cats, D. caninum was the predominant species (85.2%). Twenty seven cats (22.3%) had only A. braziliense and 19 (15.7%) were parasitized only with D. caninum. Among those cats harboring mixed infections A. braziliense and D. caninum were the species more frequently found (P < 0.001).

Prevalence of and risk factors for feline Tritrichomonas foetus and giardia infection

Data were gathered for 117 cats from 89 catteries at an international cat show to examine prevalence and risk factors for feline Tritrichomonas foetus and Giardia infection. Prevalence of T. foetus was 31% among cats (36 out of 117) and catteries (28 out of 89) based on results of fecal smear examination (5 out of 36), fecal culture in modified Diamond's medium (9 out of 36), fecal culture in In Pouch TF medium (20 out of 36), or PCR amplification of the ribosomal RNA gene from feces with T. foetus-specific primers (34 out of 36). Catteries in which T. foetus was identified were more likely to have had a recent history of diarrhea, historical diagnosis of coccidia infection in adult cats, and a decreased number of square feet of facility per cat. Evidence did not exist for the ongoing transmission of T. foetus by water, food, or contact with other species.

Metronidazole for the treatment of feline giardiasis

There are several drugs available for the treatment of giardiasis in cats, including metronidazole. The purpose of this study was to determine whether metronidazole benzoate administered at a dose of 25 mg/kg, orally, twice a day for 7 days lessens or eliminates Giardia cyst shedding in cats with chronic infection. Twenty-six, adult, laboratory-reared cats were used in this study. Sixteen cats had been inoculated orally with cysts of a human Giardia sp. isolate and had completed a Giardia vaccine study in one animal holding room. The other ten cats were infected with the same Giardia sp. presumably by contamination from the adjacent room where the Giardia vaccine study cats were located. From each cat, a fecal sample was collected within 1 week of the start of treatment and then every 2 to 4 days for 15 days after treatment was completed. Fecal samples were analyzed for the presence of Giardia cysts using a commercially available direct immunofluorescence test (IFA). Clinical signs of drug toxicity were not detected during the study.

Gastrointestinal parasites of domestic cats in Perth, Western Australia

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in a sample of domestic cats in Perth and the knowledge of their owners about the control and potential for zoonotic transmission of these parasites. Faecal samples (418), collected from cats originating from five sources, were examined by microscopy and questionnaires administered to cat owners. Forty randomly selected samples were also screened using PCR in order to detect cysts of Giardia and oocysts of Cryptosporidium that may have been present in a faecal sample at very low levels. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic cats by microscopy was 8.6%. Pet shop kittens had the highest parasite prevalence (34.3%), followed by cats and kittens from breeding establishments (15.8%), refuge cats and kittens (8.3%), privately owned cats (2.3%), and boarding cats and kittens (1.6%). Surprisingly, 80% of the 40 cats tested by PCR were positive for Giardia duodenalis and 10% for Cryptosporidium. None of these cats were positive on microscopy. After adjusting for other factors with multiple logistic regression, kittens less than 6 months of age, and cats living in households with more than one cat or with a dog were significantly more likely to be parasitised. In the logistic regression model, the presence of parasitism was also significantly influenced by the number of anthelmintic doses administered in the 12 month period prior to the study. The majority (64.5%) of cat owners were aware that feline parasites could be transmitted to humans, however less than half (42.8%) were aware of the modes of transmission to humans.

Polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in cat feces

The objective of this study was to compare a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and a monoclonal antibody-based immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in cat feces. Eight C. parvum-naive DSH cats were orally inoculated with 1 x 10(6) oocysts of a C. parvum human isolate. Fecal samples were collected before inoculation, daily for the next 30 days, and twice weekly until day 85. Methylprednisolone acetate was administered at 20 mg/kg i.m. on days 85, 92, and 99. From days 86 to 115, feces were collected daily and then up to twice weekly until day 126. Immunofluorescence assay was performed after collection of the samples, and then the samples were frozen at -70 C until assayed by PCR. Cryptosporidium parvum was detected by PCR in 101 of 353 samples and by IFA in 52 of 353 samples: 27 samples were PCR positive, IFA positive; 74 samples were PCR positive, IFA negative; 25 samples were PCR negative, IFA positive; and 227 samples were PCR negative, IFA negative. The percentage of concordance between IFA and PCR was 72%. Results of this study suggest that this PCR assay is more sensitive than IFA for detection of C. parvum in cat feces.

High prevalence of Giardia detected in cats by PCR

Microscopy, PCR and a Giardia CELISA test were used to determine the prevalence of Giardia in 40 faecal samples obtained from domestic cats in the Perth metropolitan area. A prevalence of 5, 80 and 60% was found by the tests, respectively. The results show that more sensitive techniques such as PCR may be necessary, and may yield more reliable results, in the detection of low levels of Giardia in domestic cats.