title: Molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in cats (Felis catus) in Western Australia.
abstract: Little is known of the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in domestic cats in Western Australia and their potential role as zoonotic reservoirs for human infection. In the present study, a total of 345 faecal samples from four different sources were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia by PCR and genotyped by sequence analysis. Oocyst numbers and cyst numbers for Cryptosporidium and Giardia respectively were also determined using quantitative PCR assays. Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected in 9.9% (95% CI 6.7-13.0) and 10.1% (95% CI 7.0-13.3) of cats in Western Australia respectively. Sequence analysis at the 18S rRNA locus identified five Cryptosporidium species/genotypes; C. felis (n = 8), C. muris (n = 1), C. ryanae (n = 1), Cryptosporidium rat genotype III (n = 5) and a novel genotype most closely related to Cryptosporidium rat genotype III in one isolate. This is the first report of C. ryanae and Cryptosporidium rat genotype III in cats. For Giardia, assemblage F the most commonly identified species, while only 1 assemblage sequence was detected. Since most human cases of cryptosporidiosis are caused by C. parvum and C. hominis and human cases of giardiasis are caused by G. duodenalis assemblage A and B, the domestic cats in the present study are likely to be of low zoonotic risk to pet owners in Perth. Risk analyses identified that elderly cats (more than 6 years) were more prone to Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections than kittens (less than 6 months) (P = 0.009). Clinical symptoms were not associated with the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in cats.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Rongchang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Joyce Lau Jie
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.affiliation: Australian Water Quality Centre, South Australian Water Corporation, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monis
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Electronic address: Una.Ryan@murdoch.edu.au.
authors.forename: Una
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005872:Giardia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: Assemblage A; Assemblage F; C. felis; C. ryanae; Cats; Cryptosporidium; Giardia; Rat genotype III