title: Parasites of domestic owned cats in Europe: co-infestations and risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Domestic cats can be infested by a large range of parasite species. Parasitic infestations may cause very different clinical signs. Endoparasites and ectoparasites are rarely explored in the same study and therefore multiparasitism is poorly documented. The present survey aimed to improve knowledge of the prevalence and risk factors associated with ecto- and endoparasite infestations in owned cats in Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2012 to May 2013, 1519 owned cats were included in a multicenter study conducted in 9 veterinary faculties throughout Europe (Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Spain). For each cat, ectoparasites were checked by combing of the coat surface associated with otoscopic evaluation and microscopy on cerumen samples. Endoparasites were identified by standard coproscopical examinations performed on fresh faecal samples. Risk factors and their influence on parasitism were evaluated by univariate analysis followed by a multivariate statistical analysis (including center of examination, age, outdoor access, multipet status, and frequency of treatments as main criteria) with logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 50.7% of cats resulted positive for at least one internal or one external parasite species. Ectoparasites were found in 29.6% of cats (CI95 27.3-32.0%). Otodectes cynotis was the most frequently identified species (17.4%), followed by fleas (15.5%). Endoparasites were identified in 35.1% of the cats (CI95 32.7-35.7%), including gastro-intestinal helminths in 25.7% (CI95 23.5-28.0), respiratory nematodes in 5.5% (CI95 4.2-7.0%) and protozoans in 13.5% (CI95 11.8-15.3%). Toxocara cati was the most commonly diagnosed endoparasite (19.7%, CI95 17.8-21.8%). Co-infestation with endoparasites and ectoparasites was found in 14.0% of the cats, and 11.9% harbored both ectoparasites and gastro-intestinal helminths.Age, outdoor access, living with other pets, and anthelmintic or insecticide treatments were significantly associated with the prevalence of various parasites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey demonstrates that parasitism is not a rare event in European owned cat populations. The prevalence of multi-parasitism is significantly greater than expected by chance and hence there is tendency for some individual cats to be more prone to infestation by both endo- and ectoparasites due to common risk factors.
authors: Merial S,A,S,, 29 Av Tony Garnier, Lyon 69007, France. frederic.beugnet@merial.com.
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Beugnet
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Bourdeau
authors: Karine
authors: K
authors: Chalvet-Monfray
authors: Vasile
authors: V
authors: Cozma
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Farkas
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Guillot
authors: Lénaïg
authors: L
authors: Halos
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Joachim
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Losson
authors: Guadalupe
authors: G
authors: Miró
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Otranto
authors: Marine
authors: M
authors: Renaud
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Rinaldi
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D060085:Coinfection / Q000662:veterinary*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007306:Insecticides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D007306:Insecticides