Risk factors and infection due to Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs and cats in southern Rio Grande do Sul

The prevalence of potentially zoonotic intestinal parasites in dogs and cats in Moscow, Russia

This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxocara canis/cati, Strongyloides stercoralis, Giardia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp., which occur and are potentially zoonotic to humans in domestic dogs and cats in Moscow (Russia). The fecal flotation method and larvae detection by microscopy of a direct feces smear were performed to detect Toxocara, Giardia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. The total parasitic prevalence in dogs was as follows: Giardia spp.: 10.2 % (226/2208), Cryptosporidium spp.: 2.7 % (60/2208), T. canis: 2 % (45/2208), S. stercoralis larvae: 1.1 % (25/2208). The younger animals under were infected more than those over 12 months of age (p<0.001). The preva lence rates were along these lines: Giardia spp. (18.2 %), Cryptosporidium spp. (5.7 %), T.canis (3 %), S. stercoralis larvae (2.3 %). The overall prevalence in cats was as follows: Giardia spp. - 5.2 % (71/1350), Cryptosporidium spp. - 4.8 % (65/1350), T. cati - 4.1 % (56/1350). Similarly to dogs, the infection rates were higher in cats under 12 months of age Giardia spp. (8.2 %), Cryptosporidium spp. (8.6 %), T. cati (7.5 %. Analysis of combined infections in dogs revealed the following combinations: Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. (35.5 %) larvae of S. stercoralis sp. and Giardia spp. (32.3 %), T.canis and Giardia spp. (22.6 %), T.canis and Cryptosporidium spp. (6.6 %), T.canis and S.stercoralis and (3.2 %), respectively. In cats, only two coinfections by Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. (58.3 %), and T.cati with Giardia spp. (41.7 %) were noticed. Further research is needed to study the spread of parasitic diseases in pet animals. The data will improve countermeasures to prevent these diseases' spread among animals and humans.

Cryptosporidium infection in young dogs from Germany

Cryptosporidium is an enteric protozoan parasite which is able to cause severe gastrointestinal disease and is distributed all over the world. Since information about the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in German dogs is rare, the aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs and the potential zoonotic risk emanating from these infected animals. In total, 349 fecal samples of 171 dogs were collected during the dogs’ first year of life. The samples were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. using PCR, targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA). Further analysis of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium canis positive samples was accomplished using the 60 kDa glycoproteine gene (GP60). Overall, 10.0% (35/349) of the specimens were tested positive for Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium canis was found in 94.3% (33/35) of these samples and the zoonotic type C. pavum in 5.7% (2/35). Both C. parvum infections were subtyped as IIaA15G2R1. Sixteen of the C. canis positive samples were successfully amplified at the GP60 gene locus. These isolates were identified to belong to the subtype families XXd, XXe, or XXb; however, 2 samples could not be assigned to any of the described subtype families. Considering the close contact between pets and their owners, dogs may act as a potential source of infection for human cryptosporidiosis. The results of this study, in context with other studies from different countries, provide important further insights into the distribution of Cryptosporidium species in dogs and their zoonotic potential.

Molecular Investigation of Zoonotic Intestinal Protozoa in Pet Dogs and Cats in Yunnan Province, Southwestern China

Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. are common enteric pathogens that reside in the intestines of humans and animals. These pathogens have a broad host range and worldwide distribution, but are mostly known for their ability to cause diarrhea. However, very limited information on prevalence and genotypes of G. duodenalis, E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. in pet dogs and cats are available in China. In the present study, a total of 433 fecal samples were collected from 262 pet dogs and 171 pet cats in Yunnan province, southwestern China, and the prevalence and the genotypes of G. duodenalis, E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. were investigated by nested PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. The prevalence of G. duodenalis, E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. was 13.7% (36/262), 8.0% (21/262), and 4.6% (12/262) in dogs, and 1.2% (2/171), 2.3% (4/171) and 0.6% (1/171) in cats, respectively. The different living conditions of dogs is a risk factor that is related with the prevalence of G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi (p < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant difference in prevalence of three pathogens in cats. DNA sequencing and analyses showed that four E. bieneusi genotypes (PtEb IX, CD9, DgEb I and DgEb II), one Cryptosporidium spp. (C. canis) and two G. duodenalis assemblages (C and D) were identified in dogs; two E. bieneusi genotypes (Type IV and CtEb I), one Cryptosporidium spp. (C. felis) and one G. duodenalis assemblage (F) were identified in cats. Three novel E. bieneusi genotypes (DgEb I, DgEb II and CtEb I) were identified, and the human-pathogenic genotypes/species Type IV C. canis and C. felis were also observed in this study, indicating a potential zoonotic threat of pet dogs and cats. Our results revealed the prevalence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis, E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. infection in pet dogs and cats in Yunnan province, southwestern China, and suggested the potential threat of pet dogs and cats to public health.

The global prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection among cats during 1988-2021: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cryptosporidiosis is an important zoonosis caused by Cryptosporidium. This disease causes a global public health problem. The cat is considered to be one of the potential hosts for transmitting Cryptosporidium to humans. In this study, a global meta-analysis for Cryptosporidium infection in cats was performed. The articles related to Cryptosporidium infection in cats were systematically searched in databases China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data, VIP Chinese Journal Database, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Finally, 92 articles published from 1988 to 2021, which met the criteria of systematic review and meta-analysis, were collected. During the selected period, the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium among cats was identified to be 6.0%. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium detected by microscopy, coproantigens, and molecular biology methods were 4.2%, 8.2%, and 5.0%, respectively. Among 9 species/genotypes (C. felis, C. parvum, C. muris, Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV, C. baileyi, C. ryanae, C. hominis, Cryptosporidium sp. rat genotype III and most closely related to Cryptosporidium sp. rat genotype III), the prevalence of C. parvum (4.2%) was significantly higher than that of other species/genotypes. Among five continents, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in Africa (30.5%) was significantly higher than in other continents. We also analyzed the effects of different geographical factors (longitude, latitude, altitude, mean temperature, precipitation, and humidity) on Cryptosporidium infection among cats. The results showed that cryptosporidiosis was common in cats all over the world. This systematic review and meta-analysis has systematically introduced the global epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in cats and correlated risk factors. Health authorities, doctors, veterinarians and cat owners' awareness of the prevalence, risk factors and complications of Cryptosporidium are important for the development of effective prevention strategies for cryptosporidiosis.