Molecular characteristics and zoonotic potential of enteric protists in domestic dogs and cats in Egypt

Abstract

IntroductionDomestic dogs and cats can be a source of human infection by a wide diversity of zoonotic pathogens including parasites. Genotyping and subtyping tools are useful in assessing the true public health relevance of canine and feline infections by these pathogens. This study investigated the occurrence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of common diarrhea-causing enteric protist parasites in household dogs and cats in Egypt, a country where this information is particularly scarce.MethodsIn this prospective, cross-sectional study a total of 352 individual fecal samples were collected from dogs (n = 218) and cats (n = 134) in three Egyptian governorates (Dakahlia, Gharbeya, and Giza) during July–December 2021. Detection and identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. were carried out by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Basic epidemiological variables (geographical origin, sex, age, and breed) were examined for association with occurrence of infection by enteric protists.Results and discussionThe overall prevalence rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were 1.8% (95% CI: 0.5–4.6) and 38.5% (95% CI: 32.0–45.3), respectively, in dogs, and 6.0% (95% CI: 2.6–11.4) and 32.1% (95% CI: 24.3–40.7), respectively, in cats. All canine and feline fecal samples analyzed tested negative for E. bieneusi and Blastocystis sp. Dogs from Giza governorate and cats from Dakahlia governorate were at higher risk of infection by Cryptosporidium spp. (p = 0.0006) and G. duodenalis (p = 0.00001), respectively. Sequence analyses identified host-adapted Cryptosporidium canis (n = 4, one of them belonging to novel subtype XXe2) and G. duodenalis assemblages C (n = 1) and D (n = 3) in dogs. In cats the zoonotic C. parvum (n = 5) was more prevalent than host-adapted C. felis (n = 1). Household dogs had a limited (but not negligible) role as source of human giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, but the unexpected high frequency of zoonotic C. parvum in domestic cats might be a public health concern. This is the first molecular-based description of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in cats in the African continent to date. Molecular epidemiological data provided here can assist health authorities and policy makers in designing and implementing effective campaigns to minimize the transmission of enteric protists in Egypt.

Prevalence and public health relevance of enteric parasites in domestic dogs and cats in the region of Madrid (Spain) with an emphasis on Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp.

“…Using a specific gp60 genotyping tool (Jiang et al., 2021), we managed to amplify one of the four C. canis isolates and identify it as XXi1, the first member of novel subtype family XXi. To date, nine (XXa to XXh) subtype families of C. canis have been recognised in a variety of animal hosts including dogs, foxes, minks and racoon dogs, in addition to humans (Elmahallawy et al., 2023; Jiang et al., 2021; Murnik et al., 2022; Wang et al., 2022). The fifth canine isolate was identified as the bovine genotype of C. parvum (unknown subtype family), a zoonotic genetic variant whose primary host species are cattle and humans (Guo et al., 2022).…”

Large-Scale Molecular Epidemiological Survey of Blastocystis sp. among Herbivores in Egypt and Assessment of Potential Zoonotic Risk

“…Indeed, despite a prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in humans shown to exceed 70% in the north of this country by using molecular detection methods [8], only five surveys have been conducted to date in animals, mainly focusing on poultry, cattle, and pets [45][46][47][48][49]. Globally, the obtained epidemiological data reported an active circulation of the parasite in poultry and cattle, implying that both animal groups could play a role as reservoirs for zoonotic transmission.…”

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

“…The most often found species in dogs and cats among all of these is C. canis. Zoonotic forms of C. parvum, Cryptosporidium meleagridis, and C. muris have also been found in small numbers in dogs and cats (Elmahallawy et al 2023). Most of the time, C. canis infections are asymptomatic, although they can occasionally result in weight loss, diarrhea and malabsorption (Olabanji et al 2016).…”