Abstract
BackgroundThere are only limited number of reports on molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in dogs and cats in China. This study was conducted to assess the infection rates, genetic identity, and public health potential of these parasites in dogs and cats in Guangdong, China.MethodsPCR and sequence analyses were used to identify and genotype Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in fecal samples from 641 dogs and 418 cats in Guangdong. Chi-square test and odds ratio analysis were used to compare the occurrence rates of these pathogens and identify risk factors for infection.ResultsThe overall infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were 6.9% (44/641) and 9.4% (60/641) in dogs, and 6.2% (26/418) and 3.6% (15/418) in cats. Purebred cats (12.4%; χ2 = 5.110, OR = 2.8, P = 0.024) and dogs (10.8%; χ2 = 5.597, OR = 4.8, P = 0.018) were more likely to be infected by Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. Dogs (12.0%; χ2 = 7.589, OR = 2.6, P = 0.006) and cats (13.6%; χ2 = 8.235, OR = 3.5, P = 0.004) under 6 months had significantly higher infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. than older animals. Household (13.9%; χ2 = 10.279, OR = 2.6, P = 0.008) and pet shop dogs (11.0%; χ2 = 7.182, OR = 2.0, P = 0.048) had higher occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp., as was the case for G. duodenalis occurrence in experimental dogs (13.4%; χ2 = 9.223, OR = 1.9, P = 0.017). Cryptosporidium canis (n = 42), C. muris (n = 1) and Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV (n = 1) were identified in dogs, while C. felis (n = 21), C. parvum (n = 3), C. muris (n = 1) and Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV (n = 1) were identified in cats. In contrast, the canine-specific assemblages C (n = 27) and D (n = 26) and the feline-specific assemblage F (n = 14) were almost exclusively the only genotypes of G. duodenalis in dogs and cats, respectively. There was no significant difference in infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis between diarrheal and non-diarrheal pets.ConclusionsWhile domestic pets in Guangdong are infected with zoonotic Cryptosporidium species, they are mainly infected with host-specific G. duodenalis genotypes. Risk factors for infections differ between Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis and between dogs and cats.
Highlights
There are only limited number of reports on molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in dogs and cats in China
While domestic pets in Guangdong are infected with zoonotic Cryptosporidium species, they are mainly infected with host-specific G. duodenalis genotypes
Risk factors for infections differ between Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis and between dogs and cats
Summary
There are only limited number of reports on molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in dogs and cats in China. Diarrhea is the main clinical symptom of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis. Humans acquire these two pathogens through contact with infected persons and animals, or consuming contaminated food or water [1, 2]. Among the ~40 known Cryptosporidium species, C. hominis, C. parvum, C. meleagridis, C. canis and C. felis are the most common species in humans [3]. Among the eight common genotypes (A to H) of G. duodenalis, only assemblages A and B are major human pathogens [2]. Cryptosporidium canis and C. felis are major Cryptosporidium species in dogs and cats respectively, but C. hominis, C. parvum, C. muris and C. ubiquitum have been occasionally detected in these animals [6,7,8,9,10]. Dog-adapted assemblages C and D, and cat-adapted assemblage F are the dominant G. duodenalis genotypes in these animals, zoonotic assemblages A and B have been identified in some studies [2, 11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
