Giardia duodenalis in colony stray cats from Italy

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in pet cats in Henan Province, central China

Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis often infect humans, cats, and other mammals, causing diarrhea and being responsible for numerous outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne infections worldwide. The rapid increase in the number of pet cats poses a substantial public health risk. However, there were few reports about the infection of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections in pet cats in Henan Province, central China. Thus, to understand the prevalence and genetic distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in pet cats, and to evaluate the zoonotic potential, possible transmission routes and public health implications of isolates, fecal samples (n = 898) were randomly collected from pet cats in 11 cities in Henan Province, central China. Nested PCR based on the SSU rRNA gene and bg gene was used to the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. The prevalence was 0.8 % (7/898) and 2.0 % (18/898) for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis respectively. Additionally, the Cryptosporidium spp. positive isolates were identified as C. parvum subtype IIdA19G1 by gp60 gene. In the present study, the IIdA19G1 subtype was discovered in pet cats for the first time in China, enriching the information on the host type and geographical distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. in China. For G. duodenalis, a total of 18 G. duodenalis positive samples were identified, belonging to four assemblages: a zoonotic assemblage A1 (4/898), three host-specific assemblages C (8/898), D (5/898), and F (1/898). Interestingly, we found that pet cats infected with Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis are more likely to experience emaciation symptoms compared to the negative group. More importantly, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis detected in the present study were low, but the subtype IIdA19G1 of Cryptosporidium spp. and the assemblages A1, C, D, and F of G. duodenalis have the potential for zoonotic transmission. Thus, we should focus on preventing and controlling the risk of cross-species transmission that may occur in pet cats in Henan Province.

[Feline and canine giardiosis: An Update]

Giardia duodenalis is a facultative pathogenic intestinal parasite. Giardiosis in dogs and cats may appear with or without clinical signs. Typical signs include diarrhea with or without vomiting. The prevalence in young animals is high and may amount to up to 50%. There are 8 different genotypes (A - H), which are called assemblages. Assemblages C and D are most common in dogs and assemblage F most frequent in cats. However, animals may also be infected with the zoonotically effective assemblages A and B or exhibit mixed infections. The immunofluorescence test (IFA), the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fecal centrifugation using zinc sulphate solution are currently recommended as diagnostic methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be used to determine the corresponding assemblage. Approved treatments for giardiosis include fenbendazole and metronidazole. In addition, undertaking specific hygiene measures is warranted. Only animals showing clinical signs or those living in the same household with high-risk patients (e. g. immunosuppressed humans) are recommended to receive medication. The aim of treatment is clinical improvement of the diseased dogs and cats. Frequently, complete elimination of Giardia is not attained.

The detection and phylogenetic characterization of Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora, and Giardia duodenalis of cats in South Korea

Introduction

Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora, and Giardia duodenalis are gastrointestinal protozoa parasites that cause diarrhea in various animals. However, information regarding the detection and phylogenetic characterization of gastrointestinal protozoa parasites in cats is limited throughout South Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the detection and identify subspecies of gastrointestinal protozoa parasites in cats from South Korea.

Methods

A total of 290 fecal samples were collected from stray, companion, and shelter cats in six provinces. Cryptosporidium, Cystoisospora, and G. duodenalis were identified by PCR. All positive samples were subtyped by PCR and sequencing of gp60, ITS-1, tpi, bg, and gdh.

Results

The overall detection of gastrointestinal protozoan parasitic infection was 17.93%. G. duodenalis was the most prevalent, with 7.93%, followed by Cystoisospora spp. (7.24%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (4.48%). In addition, C. felis (n=10), C. parvum (n=2), C. ryanae (n=1), Cystoisospora felis (n=14), Cystoisospora suis (n=5), Cystoisospora ohioensis (n=1), Cystoisospora spp. were identified in subspecies analysis of positive samples. C. felis showed a significant association with diarrhea (7.81%) and living condition (6.04%), and Cystoisospora felis in diarreha (9.38%) according to detection. Through phylogenetic analysis of the tpi, bg, and gdh genes from 23 G. duodenalispositive samples, it was confirmed that the samples of present study belonged to assemblage A, B, C, and D.

Discussion

South Korean cats have a high rate of gastrointestinal protozoan parasites infection with cat-specific Cryptosporidium and Cystoisospora, which are associated with living conditions and diarrhea symptoms. Moreover, zoonotic and other animal-specific subtype of protozoan parasites have been detected in cat feces.

Epizootiology and biological characteristics of echinococcosis in agricultural animals, dogs, wild carnivores, and rodents in the Western region of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Background and Aim

Echinococcosis is one of the most dangerous parasitic diseases common to humans and animals. In Kazakhstan, echinococcosis is widespread in animals. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and biological characteristics of echinococcosis in agricultural animals, dogs, wild carnivores, and rodents in the Western region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Materials and Methods

The study analyzed slaughtered carcasses of cattle (2500), sheep (4200), pigs (250), horses (91), and camels (45). Furthermore, the study analyzed 144 dogs (herding, rural, and urban), 41 wild carnivores (wolves, red foxes, and corsac foxes), and 339 wild rodents (great gerbils, tamarisk jirds, little ground squirrels, yellow ground squirrels, and muskrats). Postmortem and vital examination methods were used in the helminthological studies of dogs, wild carnivores, and rodents. In agricultural animals, localization and intensity were determined by counting echinococcal cysts in parenchymatous organs.

Results

Extensiveness of invasion (EI) averaged 19.2% in cattle, 27.5% in sheep, 5.6% in pigs, and 13.3% in camels. Echinococcal cysts mainly affected the liver in sheep (45.4%) and the lungs in cattle (35.5%). The fertility of echinococcal cysts decreased with age in animals. Acephalocysts were registered mainly in cattle. The highest invasiveness of Echinococcus granulosus was found in herding dogs with an EI of 12.5%. Experimental infestations of dogs showed that maturation of echinococcal eggs occurred by days 36-40 and maturation of segments by day 50. Studies of wild carnivores and rodents showed the presence of E. granulosus (imago stage) in wolves, Alveococcus multilocularis (imago stage) in red foxes and corsac foxes, and A. multilocularis (larval stage) in great gerbils and muskrats.

Conclusion

Our data provide evidence of high epizootiological danger for the population and significant damage caused by E. granulosus to animal husbandry in the region. Studies on the spread of echinococcosis suggest the possibility of controlling the situation with human and animal diseases and show the importance of this issue.

Microscopic and molecular diagnoses of Giardia duodenalis in pet animals in Babylon Province, Iraq

Background and Aim

The breeding of pet animals, especially dogs and cats, in Iraq has increased recently. However, no epidemiological or molecular data exist regarding Giardia duodenalis infection in pet animals, particularly in Babylon Province. Therefore, this study aimed to detect G. duodenalis and its genotypes in pets using microscopic and molecular techniques.

Materials and Methods

For microscopic examination, 150 pet fecal samples (dogs = 75, cats = 75) were examined from October 1, 2022, to March 30, 2023. Fourteen isolates of G. duodenalis (7 per host) were genetically characterized using SSUrDNA gene sequencing.

Results

Microscopic examination revealed that the rates of G. duodenalis infection was 14.67% (11/75) and 12% (9/75) in dogs and cats, respectively. According to sex, the infection rate in dogs was 22.22% (8/36) for males and 7.69% (3/39) for females. Conversely, the infection rate in cats was 5.56% (2/36) for males and 17.95% (7/39) for females. The highest infection rates were recorded for animals under 6 months of age, with 16.67% (3/18) for dogs and 27.27% (3/11) for cats. In rural areas, the infection rate was higher than that in urban areas, with 17.65% (6/34) in dogs and 13.89% (5/36) in cats. For the molecular diagnosis, 14 isolates of G. duodenalis (7 per host) were genetically characterized using SSUrDNA gene sequencing. In dogs, the findings revealed specific genotypes, with D at 3/7 (42.86%) and C at 2/7 (28.57%). In addition, zoonotic genotype A was found in 2/7 (28.57%) of dogs. In cats, the specific assemblage F was present in 4/7 (57.14%), while zoonotic genotype A was found in 3/7 (42.86%).

Conclusion

This study is considered the first in Babylon Province to detect G. duodenalis genotypes in pet animals (dogs and cats), as some have zoonotic genotypes that could transmit infections to humans. The results of this study illustrate the epidemiological importance of this parasite in this region.

Occurrence of Giardia duodenalis in Cats from Queretaro and the Risk to Public Health

Giardia is a protozoan that affects humans as well as a wide range of domestic species. It is distributed worldwide, and the highest frequency is seen in developing countries. Due to the potential for domestic cats to be carriers of this parasite and subsequently transmit the infection to humans, it is important to know the risk of transmission. For this reason, the objective of this study was to determine the frequency of this parasite in the cat population of the city of Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, and identify the assemblages present to determine the role this host plays in public health, this being the first study of its type to be performed in the country. This was a cross-sectional study during which 200 fecal samples were collected from cats of both sexes and varying ages and strata of origin. The samples were analyzed by microscopy following the flotation technique, having obtained a general frequency of 25%. Giardia cysts were found at higher frequency in pasty stools. The assemblages found were zoonotic, specifically assemblage A, which suggests that the cat poses an important risk for the dissemination of the parasite to humans, making it an important public health problem.