Parasite prevalence survey in shelter cats in Citrus County, Florida

Wyrosdick, Heidi M.; Chapman, Alycia; Martinez, Jessica; Schaefer, John J.

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.07.002

Cited by 16 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…In fact,. infection by Spirometra is relatively commonly found in cats ( Hoggard et al, 2019 ; Mueller, 1935 ; Wyrosdick et al, 2017 ), and less commonly in dogs ( Conboy, 2009 ; Nagamori et al, 2020 ). Among wildlife, there have been reports of Spirometra sp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sparganosis due to Spirometra sp. (Cestoda; Diphyllobothriidae) in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

McHale

Callahan

Paras

et al. 2020

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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We report three cases of sparganosis due to plerocercoids of the tapeworm Spirometra sp. in captive meerkats ( Suricata suricatta ) from a zoo exhibit in the southeastern United States. Two meerkats were euthanized, one due to an uncontrollable seizure and the other due to trauma, and at necropsy cysts containing cestode larvae were observed. A third meerkat had a subcutaneous nodule surgically removed, which contained similar larvae. The third animal died years later, and had numerous cestode larvae in the pleural and peritoneal cavities. The larvae were morphologically identified as plerocercoids of diphyllobothriidean cestodes. On necropsy, multiple nodules, ranging in size from 2.5 to 3.0 cm, were observed in the subcutaneous tissue and muscles. Multifocally, separating skeletal muscle fibers were longitudinal and transversal sections of cestode larva. Histologically, parasitic cysts contained large numbers of neutrophils and macrophages, admixed with proteinaceous material. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that specimens from one of the meerkats belonged to the genus Spirometra and was closely related to Spirometra plerocercoids isolated from a snake from the United States and wild felids from South America. Meerkats likely became infected by ingesting infected second intermediate hosts, such as amphibians and reptiles that may have entered the exhibit. Management practices that minimize access of meerkats and other susceptible hosts to intermediate hosts should be implemented.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sparganosis due to Spirometra sp. (Cestoda; Diphyllobothriidae) in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

McHale

Callahan

Paras

et al. 2020

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…The most commonly detected protozoan parasites in domestic cats and dogs in North America are Cystoisospora (formally Isospora ) and Giardia [ 3 , 5 – 8 , 19 – 25 ]. Studies evaluating feline fecal samples have reported the prevalence of Cystoisospora and Giardia to range between 3.8–26.0% and 1.2–9.9%, respectively, with the highest prevalence in shelter cats [ 3 , 5 – 8 , 19 , 20 , 24 , 25 ]. The prevalence of Cystoisospora and Giardia in dogs has been reported to range between 0.5–10.4% and 3.3–13%, respectively [ 8 , 19 , 21 – 24 , 26 – 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further evaluation and validation of the VETSCAN IMAGYST: in-clinic feline and canine fecal parasite detection system integrated with a deep learning algorithm

et al. 2021

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Background Fecal examinations in pet cats and dogs are key components of routine veterinary practice; however, their accuracy is influenced by diagnostic methodologies and the experience level of personnel performing the tests. The VETSCAN IMAGYST system was developed to provide simpler and easier fecal examinations which are less influenced by examiners’ skills. This system consists of three components: a sample preparation device, an automated microscope scanner, and analysis software. The objectives of this study were to qualitatively evaluate the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system on feline parasites (Ancylostoma and Toxocara cati) and protozoan parasites (Cystoisospora and Giardia) and to assess and compare the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation method to reference centrifugal and passive flotation methods. Methods To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the scanning and algorithmic components of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system, fecal slides were prepared by the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation technique with pre-screened fecal samples collected from dogs and cats and examined by both an algorithm and parasitologists. To assess the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation technique, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared to those of conventional flotation techniques. Results The performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST algorithm closely correlated with evaluations by parasitologists, with sensitivity of 75.8–100% and specificity of 93.1-100% across the targeted parasites. For samples with 50 eggs or less per slide, Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients ranged from 0.70 to 0.95 across the targeted parasites. The results of the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal flotation method correlated well with those of the conventional centrifugal flotation method across the targeted parasites: sensitivity of 65.7–100% and specificity of 97.6–100%. Similar results were observed for the conventional passive flotation method compared to the conventional centrifugal flotation method: sensitivity of 56.4–91.7% and specificity of 99.4–100%. Conclusions The VETSCAN IMAGYST scanning and algorithmic systems with the VETSCAN IMAGYST fecal preparation technique demonstrated a similar qualitative performance to the parasitologists’ examinations with conventional fecal flotation techniques. Given the deep learning nature of the VETSCAN IMAGYST system, its performance is expected to improve over time, enabling it to be utilized in veterinary clinics to perform fecal examinations accurately and efficiently.

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“…Travel to the USA with cats, other than after completion of studies on St Kitts, was not frequent; however, when travel occurred, destinations varied. In some of the travel destinations with suitable climates for subtropical parasites, such as Florida, the parasites studied already occur although at a generally low prevalence [ 22 , 23 ]. In other destinations with potentially suitable climates, such as Oklahoma, there have been reports of T. felis , for example, but only from cats imported from the Caribbean and not in prevalence studies [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Importation of cats and risk of parasite spread: a Caribbean perspective and case study from St Kitts

et al. 2020

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Background In more recent years, international travel with cats has increased. The distribution of cat parasites can change with this movement. Already, subtropical and tropical parasites have been reported by veterinarians in areas where they are not naturally present. Understanding the prevalence of tropical and subtropical parasites in Caribbean islands and the risk of importation to temperate areas could enable improved prevention recommendations and border control import requirements. Methods We present a study focused on cat owning students enrolled in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programme on St Kitts. Owners were interviewed about their cats and their use of parasiticides. Cats were examined for Trichuris felis and Platynosomum fastosum using sugar flotation, Lynxacarus radovskyi using an adhesive tape test, and Dirofilaria immitis using commercial antigen and antibody tests. Results Data on 115 cats owned by 87 DVM students were collected and 90 cats, all expected to travel to the USA, were examined. Most of the cats were adults and born in St Kitts. Prevalence was reported as 6.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2–15.1%) for T. felis, 16.2% (95% CI: 8.7–26.6%) for P. fastosum and 6.8% (95% CI: 2.5–14.3%) for L. radovskyi. All D. immitis tests were negative. DVM students reported a high level of deworming (83.3% of the cats), but the number of cats treated per recommendations were low (56.1% for endoparasites and 70.8% for ectoparasites). Also, there was a lack of clarity regarding the purpose of the treatments used and treatments did not appear to be targeted for the parasites present. Conclusion Our results indicate a low prevalence of the parasites of interest in the DVM student cat population compared to other prevalence studies from the Caribbean. However, a degree of non-compliance with parasiticide uses and the high number of cats traveling to the USA indicate a medium risk of importation of tropical and subtropical cat parasites to temperate areas. We recommend stronger health inspections and health screening requirements at the borders including the development of specific parasiticide protocols for cat importation.

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Parasite prevalence survey in shelter cats in Citrus County, Florida

Cited by 16 publications

References 32 publications

Sparganosis due to Spirometra sp. (Cestoda; Diphyllobothriidae) in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

Sparganosis due to Spirometra sp. (Cestoda; Diphyllobothriidae) in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta)

Further evaluation and validation of the VETSCAN IMAGYST: in-clinic feline and canine fecal parasite detection system integrated with a deep learning algorithm

Importation of cats and risk of parasite spread: a Caribbean perspective and case study from St Kitts

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