title: Prevalence of intestinal parasites in private-household cats in Japan.
abstract: The present study is the first national investigation of intestinal parasites in private-household cats in Japan. A total of 942 faecal samples were collected from private-household cats. Giardia species was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and other intestinal parasites were identified microscopically. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 10.1%; two protozoan parasites (Giardia species and Cystoisospora species) and five helminths (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Taenia species and Spirometra erinacei) were detected. The total prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was significantly higher in cats aged ≤ 6 months old than in cats older than 6 months because of a significantly higher prevalence of Cystoisospora species and T cati. The total infection prevalence was higher among outdoor cats as a result of the significantly higher prevalence of T cati and S erinacei. Sex and faecal condition were not related to intestinal parasite infections. Regional differences were observed in Cystoisospora species and A tubaeforme.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan. naoitoh@vmas.kitasato-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Kazutaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanai
authors.forename: Seishiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chikazawa
authors.forename: Yasutomo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hoshi
authors.forename: Seiichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Higuchi
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017149:Private Sector; D012307:Risk Factors