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. 2023 Nov 27;32(4):e012123.
doi: 10.1590/S1984-29612023065. eCollection 2023.

Endoparasites in domestic cats (Felis catus) in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil

Welitânia Inácia Silva  1 , Estefany Ferreira Lima  2 , Jordania Oliveira Silva  2 , Mariana de Melo Alves  2 , Carla Lícia Pinheiro Alves  2 , Ana Luzia Peixoto Silva  2 , Jeizom Abrantes Lima  2 , Thais Ferreira Feitosa  2 , Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela  1   2
Affiliations

Endoparasites in domestic cats (Felis catus) in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil

Welitânia Inácia Silva et al. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of endoparasites in domestic cats (Felis catus) in the city of Sousa, state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. A total of 207 samples of fresh feces were randomly collected from domestic and semi-domiciled cats. The samples were analyzed by simple centrifugation and centrifuge-flotation in sucrose solution for the diagnosis of helminth eggs and enteric protozoan oocysts and cysts. Epidemiological information was obtained to determine risk factors related to infections. Among the samples collected, 81.6% (169/207; 95% CI: 77.4-83.8) were positive for at least one parasite genus. Ancylostoma spp. was the most prevalent, at 67.1% (139/207), followed by Taenia spp. at 28.5% (59/207), and Spirometra spp. and Platynosomum sp., both at 17.3% (36/207). The variables associated with helminth infection were a historic lack of deworming (Odds ratio = 12.25) and the presence of dry fur (Odds ratio = 2.15). No risk factors were observed for enteric protozoa infection. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of endoparasites in domestic cats in the city of Sousa, state of Paraíba, and associated risk factors, thus establishing an overview of the main helminths and protozoa that affect cats in this region.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência de endoparasitos em felinos domésticos (Felis catus) na cidade de Sousa, estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Foram coletadas 207 amostras de fezes frescas de gatos domiciliados e semidomiciliados, de forma aleatória. Analisaram-se as amostras por centrifugação simples e centrifugo-flutuação, em solução de sacarose para o diagnóstico de ovos de helmintos e oocistos e cistos de protozoários entéricos. Informações epidemiológicas foram obtidas para a determinação dos fatores de risco relacionados às infecções. Dentre as amostras coletadas, 81,6% (169/207; IC 95%: 77,4-83,8) foram positivas para pelo menos um gênero de parasito, sendo o mais prevalente Ancylostoma spp., com 67,1% (139/207), seguido de Taenia ssp. 28,5% (59/207), Spirometra spp. e Platynosomum sp., ambos com 17,3% (36/207). As variáveis que apresentaram associação com a infecção por helmintos foram o não histórico de vermifugações (Odds ratio = 12,25) e a presença de pelos secos (Odds ratio = 2,15). Não foram observados fatores de risco para as infecções por protozoários entéricos. Este estudo demonstrou uma alta prevalência de endoparasitos em felinos domésticos, na cidade de Sousa, Paraíba, associados ao fatores de risco, estabelecendo-se assim, um panorama dos principais helmintos e protozoários que acometem gatos nesta região.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they did not have any conflict of interest relevant to the content of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Helminth eggs diagnosed in fecal samples from domestic cats (Felis catus), in the city of Sousa, state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. (A) Ancylostoma spp.; (B) Taenia spp.; (C) Spirometra spp.; (D) Platynosomum sp.; (E) Trichuris spp.; (F) Physaloptera spp.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Oocysts and cysts of protozoa diagnosed in fecal samples from domestic cats (Felis catus) in the city of Sousa, state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. (A) non-sporulated oocyst of Cystoisospora spp; (B) unsporulated coccidial oocysts; (C) cyst of Giardia sp.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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