title: Prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora species infections in pet cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease.
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.
authors: Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst CH64 7TE, UK. sophia.tzannes@liverpool.ac.uk
authors: Sophia
authors: S
authors: Tzannes
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Batchelor
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Graham
authors: Gina L
authors: GL
authors: Pinchbeck
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Wastling
authors: Alexander J
authors: AJ
authors: German
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002415:Cats; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005872:Giardia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007549:Isospora / Q000302:isolation & purification; D021865:Isosporiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom
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