Prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora species infections in pet cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease

J Feline Med Surg. 2008 Feb;10(1):1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2007.05.006. Epub 2007 Aug 13.

Abstract

This study reports the prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora species in cats showing signs of gastrointestinal disease. Records from a United Kingdom commercial diagnostic laboratory between December 2003 and December 2005 were reviewed. Of 1355 cats, Cryptosporidium species oocysts were found in 13 cats (1%), Giardia species trophozoites in 74 (6%), and Isospora felis oocysts in 46 (3%). In a second group of 48 cats, prevalence of Giardia species was 15% using an immunoassay for detection of antigen compared to 4% detected with microscopy. Prevalence of Giardia (9%) and Isospora (9%) species was higher in cats less than 6 months old. Gender and breed did not affect prevalence. There was a trend for Cryptosporidium and Isospora species infections to be detected in late autumn and early winter. Regional differences in prevalence were not detected. None of these organisms show a characteristic pattern of clinical signs. This study demonstrates that enteric protozoal infection is common in domestic cats showing signs of alimentary disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology
  • Cats
  • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
  • Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary*
  • Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / epidemiology
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary*
  • Giardia / isolation & purification
  • Giardiasis / epidemiology
  • Giardiasis / veterinary*
  • Isospora / isolation & purification
  • Isosporiasis / epidemiology
  • Isosporiasis / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • United Kingdom