Abstract
Background: Gastro-intestinal parasitic infections in cats is a major concern for public health as they have zoonotic importance. The present research was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasitic infection in cats in different areas of Mymensingh Sadar between December, 2018 to May, 2019. Methods: The fecal samples were examined by simple sedimentation and stoll’s ova counting method for detection of eggs/cysts/oocysts of parasites. The efficacy of antiparasitics against the parasitic infections in cats was evaluated. Results: The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 62.9% (39/62) and the mixed parasitic infection was 20.9% (13/62). The prevalence of Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme infections were 17.7% and 6.5%, respectively. The prevalence of Taenia pisiformis infection was 3.22%. However, the prevalence of Isospora felis, Toxoplasma gondii and Balantidium coli infections were 4.8%, 3.2% and 6.5%. The prevalence of infection was significantly (P<0.008) higher in kitten than that in adult cat. The efficacy of albendazole, fenbendazole against single helminth infection was 100%. However, the efficacy of the drug was reduced against mixed helminth infection. The efficacy of metronidazole, pyrimithamine plus sulfadoxine was 100% against single protozoa infection but the efficacy of the drug was reduced against mixed protozoal infection. Conclusions: Kittens should be dewormed with effective anthelmintics as they are more vulnerable to parasitic diseases. The T. cati, A. tubaeforme, T. gondii prevalent in cats are zoonotic and owners awareness need to be increased to prevent human infections.
Highlights
Cat is gaining popularity as pets in many countries including Bangladesh
Six different species of gastro-intestinal parasites were identified by their characteristic.Two species of nematodes (Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma tubaeforme), one species of cestode (Taenia taeniaeformis) and three species of protozoa (Isospora felis, Toxoplasma gondii and Balantidium coli) were identified (Table 1 and Figure 1)
About 15.38%, 7.67%, 11.54%, 23.08% male cats were found to be infected by I. felis, T. gondii, A. tubaeforme, B. coli respectively
Summary
Cat is gaining popularity as pets in many countries including Bangladesh. The wide variety of parasites found in cat can be detrimental to their health and to humans in the vicinity (Krecek et al, 2010) or when people accidentally come into contact with infective stages of parasites (Smyth, 1995). Human can be infected through the ingestion of eggs, cysts or oocysts via contaminated food-stuffs or water, hands, inhalation of dust, and/or by penetration of larvae through the skin (Lee et al, 2010a). Roundworms such as Toxocara spp is the most common intestinal parasites of cats with an estimated prevalence of 25% to 75%, and often higher in kittens (AAFP, 2006). Isospora spp infections usually causes no problems in adult cats, but the parasite can cause significant disease in kittens. The T. cati, A. tubaeforme, T. gondii prevalent in cats are zoonotic and owners awareness need to be increased to prevent human infections
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