Gastrointestinal parasites of cats in Brazil: frequency and zoonotic risk

Abstract

Gastrointestinal helminths are considered to be the most common parasites affecting cats worldwide. Correct diagnosis of these parasites in animals living in urban areas is pivotal, especially considering the zoonotic potential of some species (e.g. Ancylostoma sp. and Toxocara sp.). In this study, a copromicroscopic survey was conducted using fecal samples (n = 173) from domestic cats living in the northeastern region of Brazil. Samples were examined through the FLOTAC technique and the overall results showed positivity of 65.31% (113/173) among the samples analyzed. Coinfections were observed in 46.01% (52/113) of the positive samples. The most common parasites detected were Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara cati, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris sp., Dipylidium caninum and Cystoisospora sp. From an epidemiological point of view, these findings are important, especially considering that zoonotic parasites (e.g. Ancylostoma sp. and Toxocara sp.) were the nematodes most frequently diagnosed in this study. Therefore, the human population living in close contact with cats is at risk of infection caused by the zoonotic helminths of these animals. In addition, for the first time the FLOTAC has been used to diagnosing gastrointestinal parasites of cats in Brazil.Keywords: Copromicroscopic diagnosis, helminth, protozoa, felines, zoonosis, FLOTAC. ResumoHelmintos gastrointestinais são considerados os mais frequentes parasitos que afetam gatos em todo o mundo. O correto diagnóstico desses parasitos, em animais que vivem em áreas urbanas, é crucial, especialmente quando considerado o potencial zoonótico de algumas espécies (ex. Ancylostoma sp. e Toxocara sp.). Neste estudo, uma pesquisa coproparasitológica foi realizada, utilizando-se amostras de fezes (n = 173) de gatos domésticos da região Nordeste do Brasil. As amostras foram examinadas através da técnica FLOTAC, e os resultados gerais mostraram uma positividade de 65,31% (113/173). Co-infecções foram observadas em 46,01% (52/113) das amostras positivas. Os parasitas mais comuns aqui detectados foram Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara cati, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris sp., Dipylidium caninum e Cystoisospora sp. De um ponto de vista epidemiológico, esses resultados são importantes, especialmente considerando que os parasitos zoonóticos (ex. Ancylostoma sp. e Toxocara sp.) foram os mais frequentes nematódeos diagnosticados neste estudo. Portanto, a população humana, em estreito convívio com esses animais, apresenta risco de infecção por helmintos de caráter zoonótico. Além disso, pela primeira vez, a técnica de FLOTAC tem sido utilizada no diagnóstico de parasitos gastrointestinais em gatos no Brasil.

Frequency of gastrointestinal parasites in cats seen at the University of São Paulo Veterinary Hospital, Brazil

“…In the present study, the second most frequent nematode was Ancylostoma spp., which is considered to be the most prevalent nematode in dogs in Brazil (reviewed by LABRUNA et al, 2006), and also the one with the highest prevalence in cats in some Brazilian regions (SERRA et al, 2003;LABARTHE et al, 2004;COELHO et al, 2009;RAMOS et al, 2013;MONTEIRO et al, 2016). However, in all surveys on cats in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (OGASSAWARA et al, 1986;GENNARI et al, 1999GENNARI et al, , 2001RAGOZO et al, 2002;FUNADA et al, 2007) since 1986, Ancylostoma spp.…”

“…and Giardia spp. are also very frequent in cats in other regions of Brazil, with descriptions in Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná and Pernambuco (SERRA et al, 2003;TESSEROLLI et al, 2005;LORENZINI et al, 2007;MONTEIRO et al, 2016). According to Barutzki & Schaper (2011), Giardia spp.…”

Gastrointestinal parasites in feral cats and rodents from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

“…Among animals, cats and rodents are considered important reservoirs for a wide range of zoonotic parasites. For example, cats may harbour several species of gastrointestinal parasites (e.g., Ancylostoma tubaeforme, A. brasiliensis, Toxocara cati and Toxoplasma gondii), and shed their immature stages through the faeces, contaminating the environment (BALASSIANO et al, 2009;COSTA et al, 2012;BEUGNET et al, 2014;MONTEIRO et al, 2016;SARAVANAN et al, 2016).…”

“…The transmission cycle of gastrointestinal parasites is influenced by several abiotic and biotic factors, which impact on their abundance into a given environment (MONTEIRO et al, 2016). Accordingly, the availability of infective stages in a highly contaminated habitat enhances the chance for paratenic (e.g., rodents) and accidental (e.g., humans) hosts to be exposed to the pathogens (THOMPSON & CONLAN, 2011).…”

Frequência de parasitas gastrointestinais em gatos semidomiciliados em Patos, Paraíba, Brasil

“…Conforme ressalta MONTEIRO et al (2016), os helmintos gastrointestinais são considerados os mais frequentes parasitos que afetam gatos em todo o mundo e o diagnóstico correto desses parasitos em animais de áreas urbanas é crucial, especialmente quando considerado o potencial zoonótico de algumas espécies. Do mesmo modo afirma DALL´AGNOL et al (2010) em relação as protozooses, considerando-as infecções emergentes de grande importância, haja vista, sua alta prevalência em animais domésticos.…”