Investigation of Zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia intestinalis Species and Genotypes in Cats (Felis catus)

OBJECTIVE

Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are important zoonotic protozoan parasites that infect humans and various animals. We investigated the occurrence of G. intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. infection in cats. To provide data on the zoonotic transmission dynamics of these parasites, genotypes of the detected isolates were investigated through DNA sequence characterization.

METHODS

A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from cats between June and October 2020 in Kayseri and Samsun provinces. Fecal samples were examined by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), targeting the β-giardin gene of G. intestinalis and small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium spp. All PCR products were sequenced for genotyping.

RESULTS

Of the samples examined, Giardia intestinalis was determined in 8 samples (8.0%), whereas none of the samples were found positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Sequence analyses of the β-giardin PCR products indicated that all G. intestinalis isolates were classed into the zoonotic assemblage B.

CONCLUSION

This study adds to the current data on the molecular epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in cats. The findings also highlight the potential risk of cats for public health concerning the zoonotic transmission dynamics of G. intestinalis.

Blood Meal Identification of the Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Specimens Belong to Culex pipiens Complex that were Collected from Kayseri Province

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the host preferences in blood meal of specimens belonging to Culex pipiens complex.

METHODS

A total of 1284 female mosquitos were morphologically examined, and genomic DNA isolations were individually performed on 376 (28.4%) specimens that were determined to be Cx. pipiens complex. PCR was performed with primers to specifically amplify the avian and mammalian mitochondrial cytochrome b (mt-cytb) gene region. Amplicons were cloned, and the obtained plasmids were sequenced to determine host species.

RESULTS

Of 376 specimens, 148 (39.4%) were positive for the avian and/or mammalian blood meal. Among the positive specimens, 43, 98, and seven were determined to be positive for only mammalian, avian, and both avian and mammalian blood, respectively. Avian host preference in blood meal of the specimens belonging to Cx. pipiens was found to be significant. Of 15 avian blood positive isolates, nine, three, two, and one were designated as blood meal from avian species in Passeriformes, Accipitriformes, Columbiformes, and Strigiformes orders, respectively. While six, four, three, and two out of 15 mammalian blood-positive specimens were found to be positive for human, cattle, sheep, and dog blood, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Molecular data regarding the host preferences of the Cx. pipiens species complex in blood meal were revealed for the first time in Turkey with this study.