title: Potential Zoonotic Trematodes Recovered in Stray Cats from Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait.
abstract: Stray cats are a common feature roaming the streets and alleys of Kuwait; they could be a source of parasites, including trematodes, that affect humans. A survey was conducted to identify feline trematodes and throw the light on their public health significance in Kuwait. Out of 240 stray cats trapped from different localities of Kuwait from June 2011 to May 2012, 59 (24.6%) were found to be infected with 14 species of trematodes. The most common were trematodes of the genus Heterophyes, particularly H. heterophyes and H. dispar that were found in respectively 15.8% and 10.8% of the cats examined. Other trematodes recorded, with lower prevalences, were Heterophyes nocens (2.9%), Haplorchis taichui (3.8%), Stictodora sawakinensis (2.1%), Stellantchasmus falcatus (1.6%), Echinochasmus japonicus (1.6%), and Mesostephanus dottrensi (1.3%). Centrocestus cuspidatus, Galactosomum fregatae, Ascocotyle sp., Mesostephanus appendiculatus, Haplorchis yokogawai, and Pygidiopsis genata showed the lowest prevalence (0.4%) and intensity. The majority of the trematodes are recorded for the first time in Kuwait and even in the Gulf region. The study reveals that stray cats are good indicators of fish-borne trematodes in the environment. As all trematodes recovered are zoonotic, their significance to public health should be considred.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Laboratories, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait ; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Osama Mohamed ElShfei
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: El-Azazy
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Laboratories, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait ; Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nadra-Elwgoud Mohamed Ibrahim
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Abdou
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Amal Iskander
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Laboratories, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Maha Khaled
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Al-Batel
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, College of Basic Education, Public Authority for Applied Education, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Qais Abdulrazak Habeeb
authors.initials: QA
authors.lastname: Majeed
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Laboratories, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Adawia Abdul-Ruhman
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Henedi
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Laboratories, Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Laila Mohamed Azad
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Tahrani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D005399:Fishes; D007730:Kuwait / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D014200:Trematoda / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D014201:Trematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*
keywords: Heterophyes dispar; Heterophyes heterophyes; Kuwait; heterophyid; stray cat; trematode; zoonosis