Prevalence of enteric helminths and protozoa and identification of hookworm, threadworm and giardia spp. In cats in Bangkok and vicinity, Thailand

Abstract

A total of 835 fecal samples collected from client-owned and community cats between 2014 and 2016 were subjected to wet fecal smear and/or PBS-ethyl acetate and/or ZnSO4 centrifugal flotation. Ancylostoma spp. was the most common, 28.5%, followed by 6.7% Toxocara spp., 5.3% Cystoisospora spp., 4.4% Platynosomum fastosum, 2.5% Taenia taeniaeformis, 1.7% Strongyloides spp., 1.4% Spirometra spp., 1.3% Dipylidium caninum, 0.1% Eucoleus aerophilus and 0.1% Opisthorchis-like trematode egg. For retroviruses, FeLV and FIV were positive 7.1% (19/269) and 5.2% (14/269), respectively, without association with endoparasitic infection. Based on Giardia copro-antigen detection test, 3.9% (9/233) of tested cats were positive. From multivariable logistic regression, ability to access outdoors and having segment or adult worm in feces were significantly associated with Ancylostoma spp. infection. From a total of 207 hookworm positive sediment samples were subjected to PCR amplifying ITS1, 5.8S and partial ITS2 regions, 59.9% (124/207) was positive and submitted to sequencing. Out of 64 sequences obtained, 98.4% (63/64) were identified as A. ceylanicum and 1.6% (1/64) was found as A. tubaeforme. A. ceylanicum-positive samples were selected to amplify COX1 gene and the result suggested that A. ceylanicum in this study was most likely have a low potential in zoonotic transmission. For Giardia molecular identification, a total of 304 DNA samples was grouped in a pool of 4 samples and were tested with nested PCR targeting SSU rRNA gene of Giardia. Only 1 sample was positive and Giardia assemblage D was confirmed. Strongyloides felis was identified base on distinct post vulva constriction. Ultrastructure of en face views revealed hexagonal stoma surrounded by circumorally elevations in both male and female free-living adult. Characterization of partial 18s rRNA including hypervariable region I demonstrated cat threadworm was molecularly distinguishable from other species but still grouped in S. stercoralis and S. procyonis clade.