Cat Feces Research Articles

Preventive Measures and Potential Risk Factors for Toxoplasmosis among ART Clients in Sunyani Municipality.

This current study looked at the risk factors and preventive measures among persons living with HIV who access ART care at the Sunyani Bono Regional Hospital. A cross-sectional study was used because it simultaneously assesses both outcome and exposure variables. 340 people out of the projected 5430 in the municipality were sampled. Convenience sampling was used to select currently well PLWHA attending the ART clinic in the Bono Regional Hospital for the study. The most prevalent potential risk factors identified were lack of purification of drinking water (88.5%), farming and gardening activities (42.9%), handling cat feces without personal protection (21.0%), not washing fruits before eating (3.1%), not washing vegetables before cooking (1.2%), and an unquantified consumption of undercooked meat. The preventive measures assessed were the use of co-trimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART), adherence to which was tested for their relationships with socio-demographic characteristics and challenges to adherence at the first four levels of the social-ecological model. Strong predictors of adherence were occupation and satisfaction with ARVs. However, in this study, no significant relationship was found with the multivariate analysis. Similarly, no significant relationship was identified between age and adherence to CPT at any stage of the analysis in this research study. It is recommended that clinicians who are involved in ART care encourage patients in all categories of occupations to make their treatment a priority since their health is vital to all other pursuits in their lives.

Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Domestic Cats in Mosul City, Iraq

Gastrointestinal parasites are a major source of disease in cats in the tropics and are a major cause of public health problems in many parts of the world. This study was conducted to investigate the intestinal parasites of domestic cats and infection rates according to the age of the animal. Fifty fecal samples were collected from domestic cats in Mosul city during the period from October 2019 Until the end of January 2020. Eleven species of intestinal parasite were identified in the feces of domestic cats included three genera of Nematodes: Toxocara cati (16%), Toxascaris leonina (8%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (8%), two genera of Cestodes: Taenia caniforms (4%), Diphylobothrium latum (2%), one genus of the Trematodes: Schistosoma intercalatum (2%) and five species of intestinal protozoa: Isospora felis (32%), Isospora rivolta (28%), Cryptosporidium spp. (10%), Entamoeba coli (12%), Toxoplasma like oocyst (6%). The total infection with intestinal parasites was (64%). The highest rate of infection was Isospora felis (32%), followed by Isospora rivolta (28%). This is the first record of the Isospora genus in the Mosul city, also recorded in this study for the first time in Iraq, the infection of cats with the parasite Schistosoma intercalatum (2%) and the infection with Entamoeba coli (12%) is the first record in the Mosul city. No significant differences were observed in the infection rates with different parasites between the age groups of animals and between the types of infection with different species of intestinal parasites in domestic cats.

Toxoplasmosis in females from Al-Anbar, Iraq.

الخلفية: داء المقوسات هو مرض حيواني المنشأ شائع يصيب ثلث سكان العالم مع آثار صحية خطيرة محتملة. هدف الدراسة: تحديد مدى انتشار وعوامل الخطورة للإصابة بمرض التوكسوبلازما بين النساء في محافظة الأنبار، العراق. المرضى والطرق: على مدى 8 أشهر من الأول من تشرين الثاني 2021 إلى 30 يونيو 2022، شاركت 200 سيدة في زيارة عيادات بيطرية خاصة في الأنبار (92 منهن كان لديهن قطط) في هذه الدراسة المستقبلية. تم تسجيل عمر ومكان اقامة النساء المشاركات في الدراسة. تم جمع عينات الدم من جميع النساء وخضعت العينات أولاً لاختبارتلازن اللاتكس السريع (TLAT). جمعت عينات البراز من 57 (62٪) قطة أليفة و 35 (38٪) قطة ضالة وخضعت عينات البراز أولاً للفحص المجهري المباشر بحثاً عن بيوض التوكسوبلازما. ثم تم اختبار عينات الدم والبراز عن طريق تفاعل البلمرة المتسلسل (n-PCR) وتفاعل البلمرة المتسلسل في الوقت الحقيقي (RT-PCR) ثم تم تحليل النتائج إحصائيا. النتائج: كانت معدلات داء المقوسات البشري (ن = 48، 24٪)، (ن=60، 30٪)، و (ن= 77، 38.5٪) باختباراتTLAT ، n-PCR ، و RT-PCR على التوالي. وبالمثل، كانت معدلات داء المقوسات في القطط (ن = 7، 7.61٪)، (ن = 55، 60٪)، و (ن = 80، 87.0٪) باختباراتTLAT ،n-PCR ، و RT-PCR على التوالي. أظهرت نتائج اختبار اللاتكس أن النساء فوق ال 40 سنة كان لديهن معدل إصابة مرتفع (45.8٪) مقارنة باللواتي تتراوح أعمارهن بين 31-40 سنة (33.8٪) واللواني تتراوح أعمارهن بين 21-30 سنة (13.0٪ .(P≤0.01) (كان معدل إصابة النساء في المدينة أقل مقارنة بالقرية (29.7٪ مقابل 55.4٪). الاستنتاجات: وجدنا من خلال هذه الدراسة ان داء المقوسات أكثر انتشارًا بين النساء فوق ال 40 سنة وفي المناطق الريفية ولكنه لم يكن مرتبطًا بملامسة القطط. وفر تفاعل البلمرة المتسلسل في الوقت الحقيقي (RT-PCR ) عائدًا تشخيصيًا أفضل. حتى يتم اكتشاف لقاح، تظل النظافة أفضل إجراء وقائي لداء المقوسات البشري.

Isolation and Genomic Characteristics of Cat-Borne Campylobacter felis sp. nov. and Sheep-Borne Campylobacter ovis sp. nov.

Nine novel bacterial strains were isolated from the feces of cats and sheep in 2019 and 2020 in Beijing, China. Cells were 1-3 μm long and ≤0.5 μm wide, Gram-stain negative, microaerobic, motile, oxidase positive, and urease negative. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these nine isolates belong to the genus Campylobacter but formed two robust clades that were clearly separate from the currently recognized species and, respectively, isolated from the cat and sheep. Both these strains shared low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, dDDH relatedness, and ANI values with their closest species C. upsaliensis CCUG 14913T and C. lanienae NCTC 13004T, and against each other, which are below the cut-off values generally recognized for isolates of the same species. The genomic DNA G + C contents of type strains XJK22-1T and SYS25-1T were 34.99 mol% and 32.43 mol%, respectively. Electron microscopy showed that these cells were spiral shaped, with bipolar single flagella. Based on results from genotypic, phenotypic, phylogenetic, and phylogenomic analyses, these nine strains represent two novel species within the genus Campylobacter, for which the names Campylobacter felis sp. nov. (Type strain XJK22-1T = GDMCC 1.3684T = JCM 35847T) and Campylobacter ovis sp. nov. (Type strain SYS25-1T = GDMCC 1.3685T) are proposed.

High prevalence rates of Toxoplasma gondii in cat-hunted small mammals - Evidence for parasite induced behavioural manipulation in the natural environment?

Toxoplasma gondii causes one of the most frequent parasitic infections in vertebrates on earth. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of T. gondii infection in cat-hunted wild small mammals, and to determine the circulating T. gondii genotypes in cat prey. There is evidence suggesting that T. gondii may manipulate rodents' behaviour enhancing transmission to their definitive feline host by facilitating predation. Given that most studies focusing on rodent behavior have been performed under laboratory conditions, we tested this hypothesis in the natural environment. We analysed 157 cat-hunted wild small mammals of six different species from Switzerland. Brain and skeletal muscle samples from each animal were tested for T. gondii DNA by PCR, and positive samples were genotyped using a multilocus sequence typing approach, including 10 genetic markers. Additionally, to evaluate exposure to cat faeces, the presence of Taenia taeniaeformis metacestodes was investigated at necropsy. The prevalence of T. gondii in cat-hunted Arvicola amphibius s.l. was 11.1% (7/63), 14.6% (7/48) in Apodemus spp., 13.6% (3/22) in Myodes glareolus, 6.7% (1/15) in Crocidura russula, and 0% in Microtus arvalis (0/8) and Sorex sp. (0/1). All completely genotyped T. gondii parasites, exhibited the ToxoDB #3 genotype, a Type II variant. We additionally analysed 48 trap-captured A. amphibius s.l., which all tested negative for T. gondii infection, contrasting with the higher prevalence in cat-hunted A. amphibius s.l. (0% vs. 11.1%; p=0.0176). Furthermore, T. taeniaeformis was detected in both groups, indicating widespread contamination with cat faeces in the sampled areas. These results provide evidence that T. gondii infected rodents are at higher risk to be predated by cats and therewith support the behaviour manipulation hypothesis.

Identification of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Hospitalized Cats at Several Animal Clinics in Surabaya Using Faecal Examination Method

The aim of this study is to identify the parasite species and prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites that infect cats hospitalized at several veterinary clinics in Surabaya using the faecal examination method. The type of this research is an observational with research design used in this study is a cross sectional study. The samples used in this study were 100 cat feces that were hospitalized at several veterinary clinics in Surabaya and each took 25 fecal samples. This sample was examined using native, sedimentation, and floating methods. The results showed 35% of samples were positively infected by gastrointestinal parasites with 28% parasites as single infection and 7% as mixed infection. The gastrointestinal parasites that identified in this study were Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma sp., Cryptosporidium sp., Isospora felis, and Isospora rivolta. The results of statistical analysis with chi square test showed that sex and age were not related to the prevalence of the gastrointestinal parasites in hospitalized cats at several animal clinics in Surabaya.

Stability of SARS-CoV-2 in Biological Fluids of Animals.

Since its first emergence in 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued to evolve genetically, jump species barriers, and expand its host range. There is growing evidence of interspecies transmission including infection of domestic animals and widespread circulation in wildlife. However, knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 stability in animal biological fluids and their role in transmission is still limited as previous studies focused on human biological fluids. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 stability in biological fluids from three animal species, cats, sheep and white-tailed deer (WTD). Saliva, feces, 10% fecal suspensions, and urine of cats, sheep, and WTD were mixed with a known concentration of virus and incubated under indoor and three different climatic conditions. Our results show that the virus was stable for up to 1 day in the saliva of cats, sheep, and WTD regardless of the environmental conditions. The virus remained infectious for up to 6 days in feces and 15 days in fecal suspension of WTD, whereas the virus was rather unstable in cat and sheep feces and fecal suspensions. We found the longest survival of SARS-CoV-2 in the urine of cats, sheep, and WTD. Furthermore, side-by-side comparison with different SARS-CoV-2 strains showed that the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of concern were less stable than the ancestral Wuhan-like strain in WTD fecal suspension. The results of our study provide valuable information for assessing the potential role of various animal biological fluids in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Molecular Characterization of Feline Chaphamaparvovirus (Carnivore chaphamaparvovirus 2) Firstly Detected in Dogs from China

A new type of parvovirus known as feline chaphamaparvovirus (FeChPV) was discovered in the feces of shelter cats in Canada in 2019, and >50% of cats were reported to be infected with this virus. In this study, two FeChPV-positive samples were identified from the rectal swabs of 285 dogs with diarrhea but none in 50 healthy dogs. Whole genome sequences of these two FeChPV strains (OQ162042 and OQ162043) were amplified and compared with those of the two viruses originally discovered in Canada (IDEXX-1 and VRI849). The whole genome, NS1, and VP1 of the two FeChPV strains shared a high identity of 95.0%–97.8% nucleotide, 96.9%–98.6% amino acid (aa), and 97.2%–98.8% aa with the reported FeChPV strains, respectively. The phylogenetic tree of NS1 and VP1 revealed that two FeChPV strains, namely, CHN20201025 and CHN20201226, were closely clustered with the two FeChPV prototypes detected in Canada in a group. Moreover, CHN20201025 and CHN20201226 were obviously different from Carnivore chaphamaparvovirus 1 and were classified as Carnivore chaphamaparvovirus 2. This is the first study to report the identification of FeChPV in fecal samples from dogs in China, and the genetic analysis of the FeChPV, which was previously detected in Canadian cats, would improve our understanding of its host spectrum.

Serological Detection of Toxoplasma gondii among Free-Grazing Ducks from Central and Western Thailand-A One Health Perspective on Integrated Farming.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonotic parasitic diseases infecting nearly all warm-blooded animals, including poultry (geese, turkeys, chickens, and ducks). It is caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which is an obligate intracellular protozoan belonging to the Apicomplexa group. In Thailand, duck meat production for domestic consumption and international trade is mainly bred and produced in the central and western parts of the country. Free-grazing ducks in integrated duck-rice production have significant benefits in rice cultivation, accounting for the popularity of this farming system in Thailand. However, ducks are considered particularly susceptible to consuming T. gondii oocysts from water contaminated with cat feces due to the fact of their feeding habits of free-grazing and dabbling. Hence, the prevalence of this zoonotic parasite in a large-scale integrated farming context is particularly challenging with respect to the contamination of the food chain of humans and farm animals. In the present study, we examined the overall prevalence of T. gondii infection in slaughtered free-grazing ducks originating from Central and Western Thailand, setting the stage for an in-depth One Health approach to assess and manage the risks of integrated farming practices. A representative sample size of 161 ducks was calculated using a two-stage sampling method. Specifically, serum samples were collected from 217 slaughtered free-grazing ducks originating in six provinces in Central and Western Thailand. Serum antibodies against T. gondii were detected using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The positive control serum samples were prepared from ducks experimentally immunized with T. gondii. Sixty-eight (31.3%) of the two hundred and seventeen ducks were seropositive with T. gondii. Two groups of fattening ducks and spent layers showed similar seropositivity rates at 29% and 32.3%, with the majority of positive samples being found in the low titer. In addition, a wide distribution of positive serum samples was observed in all six provinces in the present study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a serological prevalence snapshot in commercially produced duck populations that have high interaction with farmed environments in Thailand, revealing a high infection pressure in areas of integrated duck-rice farming. Importantly, contaminated duck meat for commercial use, as well as offal and carcasses from slaughterhouses, completes the transmission of T. gondii from the environment into the food chain of humans and domestic animals. Hence, from a One Health perspective, it is important to clarify whether this transmission chain extends further to the wild, i.e., predator-prey cycles that are independent of duck farming or are self-contained.

Toxoplasma Gondii Induces Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in a Human Stem Cell- Derived Model


 
 
 Background:
 Toxoplasma gondii is a single-celled obligate intracellular parasite commonly found in cat feces and animal issues and is known to cause cerebral infections in immune- compromised individuals and neonates. Once ingested, T. gondii reaches the host's blood supply and reaches the brain, where infection ensues. However, it remains unclear how T. gondii crosses the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. In this study, we utilize a human stem cell-derived BBB model with near in vivo properties to investigate the effects of T. gondii on critical barrier properties that permit entry into the brain parenchyma.
 Methods:
 Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were used to derive brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). BMECs were exposed to tachyzoites, the infectious rapid replicating stage of T. gondii, at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 and 1.0 for 24 hours. Following exposure, several critical barrier properties were monitored, including trans- endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and tight junction analysis.
 Results:
 BMECs treated with both MOI of 0.1 and 1.0 showed a significant reduction in all three tight junction proteins (Claudin-5, Occludin, and ZO-1), as indicated by an increase in discontinuous junctions and a decrease in area fraction index. Barrier integrity is directly associated with tight junctional continuity and localization. Furthermore, tachyzoites at an MOI of 0.1 and 1.0 demonstrated a reduction in barrier tightness, as observed by a decrease in TEER.
 Conclusion and Potential Impact:
 These results indicate that T. gondii may, in part, have access to the brain by inducing disruption in tight junction proteins, thus increasing barrier leakiness via a para-cellular route. These data may help guide future investigations on T. gondii's ability to evoke blood-brain barrier dysfunction and reach the vulnerable brain tissue.
 
 

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic cats (Felis catus) diagnosed by different coproparasitological techniques in the municipality of Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro.

The objectives of this work were to investigate the occurrence of parasites in feces of cats, compare different coproparasitological techniques for their diagnosis and determine associations with parasitism. The samples were processed using three different coproparasitological techniques: centrifugal flotation in sucrose, centrifugal flotation in ZnSO4 and simple sedimentation. The parasitic association between parasitism and variables such as age, sex and fecal consistency was performed using the chi-square test or the G test with a significance level of 5%. A total of 237 samples were analyzed, of which 93 (39.2%) were positive, being Ancylostoma spp. (17.3%), Giardia intestinalis (12.2%), Platynosomum illiciens (8.0%), Cystoisospora spp. (6.3%), Toxoplasma gondii/ Hammondia hammondi (3.4%), Diphyllobothriidae (2.1%), Toxocara spp. (1.7%), Dipylidium caninum (1.3%) and Mesocestoides spp. (0.8%). In the parasitism association analysis, it was possible to verify a statistical difference in the age category for Cystoisospora spp. (p=0.001) observing a strong relationship between parasitism and young animals, the association with sex proved to be important for P. illiciens (p<0.001) with a higher frequency of parasitized females and fecal consistency revealed to be related to the parasites G. intestinalis (p=0.007) and P. illiciens (p=0.033) showing a higher number of positive animals for these parasites with normal fecal consistency. In conclusion, we observed a higher occurrence of Ancylostoma spp. and G. intestinalis in fecal samples from domestic cats received in routine diagnoses and the presence of other parasites with zoonotic potential, as well as the relationship of these diagnosed parasites with the categories sex, age and fecal consistency.

Toxocara Infection in Dogs and Cats in Isfahan Province of Iran in 2021.

Toxocariasis is an acute or chronic disease caused by parasites of the Ascaridae family, especially Toxocara of dogs and cats. Eggs are excreted out by feces of these animals on soil. Infective eggs develop on soil which can be infective to human. In this study, infection rate of Toxocara spp. in dogs and cats of urban and rural areas of Isfahan province of Iran has been investigated. Three hundred and seventy-five stray dog feces and 230 stray cat feces were collected from the public environment (slaughterhouses, parks, children's playgrounds, student dormitories, university environment, streets and squares) in Isfahan province of Iran. At first, dogs' and cats' feces were examined for the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs using formalin ether method. In the second stage, by using molecular methods, Toxocara eggs spp. (Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati) were identified. From 375 dog fecal samples, 39 (10.40%) and from 230 cat fecal samples, 38 (16.52%) were positive for presence of the Toxocara eggs. Dogs and cats in Isfahan province of Iran were infected with Toxocara parasite. These infections can be potential risk for human toxocariasis.

Gastrointestinal parasites of cats in Egypt: high prevalence high zoonotic risk

BackgroundSeveral gastrointestinal parasites that infect cats pose potential health threats for humans and animals. The present study is the first to report gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in feces of stray cats from Gharbia governorate, Egypt. Findings were combined with those published in the earlier surveys from various Egyptian governorates, and various meta-analyses were conducted to underline the parasitic zoonoses from cats in Egypt.ResultsOut of 143 samples tested in Gharbia, 75 (52.4%) were found infected with 13 different parasites. Co-infections were observed in 49.3% of positives. Several parasites were detected, e.g., Toxocara cati (30.0%), Toxascaris leonina (22.4%), hookworms (8.4%), taeniids (4.2%), Strongyloides spp. (2.1%), Physaloptera spp. (2.1%), Alaria spp. (1.4%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.7%). Opisthorchis-like eggs were found in a single sample being the first report from cats in Africa. Oocysts of 4 coccidian parasites were identified, and a few Toxoplasma gondii-like oocysts were detected in 2 samples (1.4%). Results of the meta-analysis illustrated that occurrence of T. gondii oocysts in feces of cats from Egypt may have been overestimated in earlier studies; 1432 cats have been tested and displayed a 5 times higher pooled prevalence (11.9%) than the published global pooled prevalence for T. gondii oocysts in cats. This overestimation might have occurred because some small-sized oocysts that belong to other coccidian parasites were mis-identified as T. gondii. Toxocara cati had a high pooled prevalence (22.5%) in cats from Egypt, which is even greater than the published pooled prevalence in cats globally; however, several reports from Egypt have neglected the role of T. cati in human toxocarosis. Dipylidium caninum displayed also a high prevalence (26.7%).ConclusionSeveral zoonotic parasite species have been found in stray cats from Egypt, raising concerns about the risks to the Egyptian human population as well as environmental contamination. Prompt surveillance supervised by the government and accompanied by data dissemination will be helpful for developing effective control strategies.

First report of knowledge and practices towards toxoplasmosis among cat owners: A cross-sectional survey in Bangladesh.

Raising awareness about Toxoplasma gondii infection among cat owners in Bangladesh is indispensable to formulate persuasive management tactics to avoid zoonotic infections from pet cats. However, to the authors' best knowledge, no studies have been performed in Bangladesh to determine knowledge and practices of toxoplasmosis in cat owners. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to cover this research gap. We carried out a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh from June 2020 through December 2021. A structured online questionnaire was distributed to cat owners, which were voluntarily completed by them. The questionnaire included socio-demographic data, aetiology, transmissions, clinical signs, and preventive practices towards toxoplasmosis. Overall, 1,019 cat owners participated voluntarily in the cross-sectional survey. Among them, 793 (77.82%) participants showed poor knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis. Under specific knowledge sections, 62.51% of the participants revealed incorrect knowledge that toxoplasmosis was a zoonotic disease. In the same way, (72.03-85.77) % of the cat owners were unaware that the disease could be transmitted from improperly washed vegetables, raw or undercooked meat and fish, and contaminated water and milk with cat faeces. Respondents' age, education, occupation, residence type, and marital status were significantly (p < .05) associated with their knowledge level. Besides, 94.11% of cat owners had a good practice level. They followed good practices in different issues; however, they practiced those activities without knowing their impacts on disease control. Cat owners' age, education, occupation, and residence type had a significant (p < .05) association with the practice level against toxoplasmosis. This is the first study highlighting the low level of knowledge among cat owners about toxoplasmosis in Bangladesh. These knowledge gaps could increase the risk and transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection among them and their families. The survey recommends the arrangement of educational training and programmes to increase the awareness of toxoplasmosis among cat owners.

Escherichia coli in different animal feces: phylotypes and virulence genes.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the phylogroups of Escherichia coli isolates from horse, cat, dog, sheep, cattle, and chicken feces samples and to investigate some important virulence genes of the isolates. For this purpose, a total of 600 feces samples, 100 from each animal species, were used as material. For the isolation of E.coli, feces samples were directly inoculated on MacConkey agar. The identification of the isolates was performed via phenotypic tests and species-specific multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR) method. PCR methods were used to phylotype E.coli isolates and to investigate virulence genes (bfpA, eaeA, LT, ST, Stx1, and Stx2). Of the total 600 E.coli isolates recovered in this study, 120 (20%), 269 (44.8%), 58 (9.7%), 19 (3.2%), 35 (5.8%), 56 (9.3%), 31 (5.2%), and 12 (2%) were identified as phylogroup A, B1, B2, C, D, E, F, and Escherichia clade I, respectively. While the virulence gene was detected in 149 (24.8%) E.coli isolates, no virulence gene was detected in 451 (75.2%) isolates. According to the analysis results, the most determined virulence gene was Stx1, while the least determined virulence gene was LT. In conclusion, in this study, when both the animal species and the number of E.coli isolates examined are considered, the data obtained are of great importance in epidemiological terms. However, the detection of virulence genes in 13.5% among phylogroup A, B1, and C isolates with commensal characteristics suggest that these isolates may show pathogenic characteristics with the virulence genes they contain.

Presence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in human semen: Toxoplasmosis as a potential sexually transmissible infection

Toxoplasma gondii is a widely prevalent protozoan parasite in human populations. This parasite is thought to be primarily transmitted through undercooked meat and contamination by cat feces. Here, we seek to determine if Toxoplasma gondii cysts can be found within human semen. We used a mixture of histological and immunofluorescence stains to visualize Toxoplasma gondii cysts in thin smears of human semen. Further, we probed for presence of bradyzoite-specific mRNA transcription using in-situ hybridization. We visualized Toxoplasma gondii cysts in ejaculates of immune-competent and latently infected human volunteers. We confirmed the encystment by probing transcription of a bradyzoite-specific gene in these structures. These observations extend previous observations of the parasite in semen of several non-human host species, including rats, dogs, and sheep. Toxoplasma gondii infection is a clinically significant infection, in view of its high prevalence, its purported role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, as well as in the more serious form of congenital toxoplasmosis. Our demonstration of intact Toxoplasma gondii cysts in the ejaculate supports the possibility of sexual transmission of the parasite and provides an impetus for further investigations.

Shedding persistency and intensity patterns of feline coronavirus (FCoV) in feces of cats living in breeding catteries in the Czech Republic

Infection with feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a major problem in multiple-cat households, where many cats are kept together in a small space such as catteries and shelters. Sixty cats from 19 breeding catteries included in the study were evaluated for their shedding persistency and intensity patterns using qPCR identification of FCoV in feces. Cats were identified based on shedding persistency as non-shedders (NS) if all four samples negative, intermittent shedders (IS) when at least one positive and one negative sampling followed by another positive sampling, persistent shedders (PS) if all four samples positive and shedders with unclear status (US) if the shedding patterns could not be determined based on only 4 samples. There were 11 NS (18%), 15 IS (25%) and 15 PS (25%) and in 19/60 cats (32%), the shedding patterns could not be determined based only on four samplings. The intensity of shedding was evaluated based on the total number of FCoV particles shed during the 12 months of the study. There were 11 non-shedders (18%), 2 very low intensity shedders (3%), 9 low intensity shedders (15%), 25 medium intensity shedders (42%) and 13 high intensity shedders (22%). Intermittent shedders were shedding significantly lower FCoV particles compared to the persistent shedders (p = 0.0082). Permanent shedders represent the most important source of FCoV infection in multi-cat households and identifying permanent shedders in is the key to minimize the viral load in the environment to control FCoV in a shelters and breeding catteries.

The global prevalence of Spirometra parasites in snakes, frogs, dogs, and cats: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Spirometra infection is aneglected food- and waterborne disease with worldwide distribution. The present study aims to estimate the global prevalence of Spirometra species in snakes, frogs, dogs and cats. Multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant literatures published up to March 2022. Among 131 data sets (including 113 articles) that met the inclusion, 15 investigations reported Spirometra infection in snakes, 23 in frogs, 41 in dogs and 52 in cats. The pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) in intermediate hosts and definitive hosts was found to be 0.313% and 0.089%, respectively. Based on continent, the infection was most prevalent in Asia for studies on snakes (0.696%) and frogs (0.181%), while Africa (0.224%) and Oceania (0.203%) were the regions with the highest pooled prevalence rates of the infection in dogs and cats, respectively. Among different diagnostic methods, the highest pooled prevalence was related to morphological method for studies on snakes, frog and cats with rate of 0.665%, 0.189% and 0.104%, respectively. Regarding studies on dogs, the highest pooled prevalence was observed for molecular technique (0.101%). The results presented here revealed the importance of establishing a prevention and control measure focused on protection of aquaculture systems from being contaminated with faeces of dogs and cats, and raising awareness of parasitic zoonotic diseases to decrease the transmission risk.

The Effects of Bacillus licheniformis-Fermented Products on the Microbiota and Clinical Presentation of Cats with Chronic Diarrhea.

Simple SummaryProbiotics are defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. Probiotics have also been introduced in companion animals in recent years, and the main priority of probiotic use has focused on the health of individual animals. This study aimed to compare the fecal microbiota of cats with chronic diarrhea with that of healthy cats from the same household and evaluate the effectiveness of oral administration of Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (BLFP) in relieving clinical signs and altering the intestinal microbiota in diarrheal cats. Overall, this study provides basic information on the types and ratios of fecal microbiota in healthy cats and cats with chronic diarrhea. Our results also demonstrated that oral administration of BLFP could significantly impact the relief of clinical gastrointestinal symptoms and the gastrointestinal microbiomes in cats with diarrhea.Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (BLFP) are probiotics with antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that can improve growth performance. This study aimed to compare the fecal microbiota of diarrheal cats with chronic diarrhea (n = 8) with that of healthy cats (n = 4) from the same household using next-generation sequencing, and evaluate the effectiveness of oral administration of BLFP in relieving clinical signs and altering the intestinal microbiota in diarrheal cats. Six out of eight diarrheal cats showed clinical improvement after BLFP administration for 7 days, and the stool condition of the other two was normal. A higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was noted in the feces of diarrheal cats without clinical improvement as compared with those in the healthy cats and in the diarrheal cats with clinical improvement after receiving BLFP. The phylum Bacteroidetes and class Bacteroidia decreased significantly in diarrheal cats regardless of BLFP administration. Blautia spp., Ruminococcus torques, and Ruminococcus gnavus, which belong to the Clostridium cluster XIVa and have been reported as beneficial to intestinal health, increased significantly in feces after treatment. Furthermore, Clostridium perfringens also significantly decreased in diarrheal cats after BLFP administration. Overall, BLFP could be a potential probiotic to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms and improve fecal microbiota in cats with chronic diarrhea.

High variability in the number of E. multilocularis eggs in cat feces collected in the field.

Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis that is considered as the most severe parasitic disease in Europe. The contribution of cat to environmental contamination by E. multilocularis is generally considered as extremely low based on results of experimental infections and worm burden estimations from natural infections. However, the recent collection of numerous cat feces from kitchen gardens in high endemic areas and the detection of E. multilocularis DNA in a significant number of these feces raise the question of the risk of human transmission from cats. This study aimed to provide a quantitative estimation of E. multilocularis eggs in feces from naturally infected cats. A field sampling conducted in 192 kitchen gardens during a joint study led to the collection and analysis of 597 cat feces, among them 7 (1.2%) yielded positive results for E. multilocularis real-time PCR. The entire pellets obtained after homogenization, filtration and centrifugation of a 5g-sample for each of these 7 feces were examined under a stereoscopic microscope. After assessing their number, 20 taeniid eggs were individually isolated and specifically identified by real-time PCR. Morphologically mature E. multilocularis eggs were identified in 4 samples and the counting of 4 to 43 E. multilocularis eggs per gram in these samples, i.e. 62 to 2331 eggs per feces when the total mass of the feces is considered. The number of eggs counted in 2 feces suggests a biotic potential of some naturally infected cats that largely exceed the previous experimental estimations.