Epidemiology of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Dogs and Cats From Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are common across the globe, particularly in underdeveloped and developing countries. The incidence of these parasites is high in semi-urban and rural settings. Giardia and Cryptosporidium are two main intestinal parasites that infect humans and domestic and wild animals. Dogs and cats play an important role as reservoir hosts in transmitting these parasites to other hosts. There is a lack of published information on molecular research in Pakistan that examines the incidence of these parasites in cats and dogs and associated risk factors. Using a simple random sampling procedure, 384 fecal samples were obtained from cats and dogs in four towns in the District of Faisalabad (as defined by an epidemiological sample size calculation algorithm). Data on the related risk variables of GI protozoal infections were acquired using a pre-designed questionnaire with closed-ended questions. Centrifugal flotation was used to extract parasitic oocysts from feces. From isolated parasite oocysts, DNA was extracted. Genus-specific primers (18S rRNA gene) were used for PCR analysis. Giardia spp. was found to be present in 35 of the total samples, with a prevalence rate of 9.11%, while Cryptosporidium spp. was found to be present in 15 of the total samples, with a prevalence rate of 3.91%. Lyallpur town has the greatest frequency of Giardia spp., 12.22% followed by Iqbal town 10.11%, Madina town 8.42%, and Jinnah town 6.36%. Similarly, Lyallpur town has the greatest incidence of Cryptosporidium spp., followed by Jinnah town, Iqbal town, and Madina town (5.56, 3.64, 3.37, and 3.16%, respectively). Animals less than a year old had considerably (P≤0.005) greater rates of infection with the abovementioned parasites. In the research area, stray dogs were more likely to have the infection as compared to stray cats. In conclusion, in order to stop the spread of these zoonotic diseases, adequate preventative measures are required.