Prevalence of zoonotic enteric protozoa (Giardia, Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium) among shelter cats in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia

Lim, Mei Yi (2017) Prevalence of zoonotic enteric protozoa (Giardia, Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium) among shelter cats in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Enteric protozoan species like Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Blastocystis in cats are considered to have zoonotic potential. In Malaysia, cats are commonly associated with human living environments. However, there remains a paucity of published information about the epidemiology of these enteric protozoa among both owned and stray cats in the country. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of zoonotic enteric protozoa among cats kept in animal shelters in Selangor, and to ascertain if the infection was related to age and fecal consistency. Fecal swabs of 105 cats were collected opportunistically from chosen animal shelters. Fecal smears were prepared and stained with Giemsa and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen for microscopy examination. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus-specific primers was carried out on 40 samples to amplify the Small Subunit Ribosomal RNA (SSU) gene of the protozoa. No zoonotic enteric protozoa were detected in all fecal samples using conventional microscopy. PCR detection revealed that 37.5% (15/40) and 25% (10/40) of the samples were positive for Giardia and Blastocystis, respectively. Cryptosporidium was not detected in all the samples examined by both techniques. The presence of these zoonotic enteric protozoa was neither associated with age nor fecal consistency. The high prevalence of Giardia and Blastocystis among shelter cats in the country merits further investigation on the epidemiology and risk factors for infection.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms. Nordeena Abdul Aziz
Date Deposited:	13 Feb 2023 04:10
Last Modified:	13 Feb 2023 04:10
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/745

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