Gastrointestinal Parasites of Stray Cats in Bangkok Metropolitan Areas, Thailand

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are among the most common pathogens in stray cats. Stray cats might represent potential reservoirs of helminthic parasites to domestic cats, especially during mating season. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of GI parasites in stray cats in Bangkok areas, particularly in monasteries. A total of 1,485 fecal samples were collected from stray cats resided in monasteries of 50 districts of Bangkok areas, performed ethyl-acetate centrifugation to identify parasites’ eggs, cysts and oocysts and examined under light microscopy. Overall prevalence of GI parasites in stray cats was 11.9%. The study revealed that the parasite burdens in 94% (47/50) of Bangkok areas. Pathumwan and Don Muang district had the highest number (30%) of infections among 50 districts. No significant differences were associated with sex. Cats of less than 1 year were highly infected for 12.3 %. Ancylostoma spp., (9.9 %) Toxocara spp., (3.5 %) Isospora spp. (1.0 %) and Dipylidium caninum (0.1 %) were the most prevalent parasites in stray cats. The high incidence of parasitism of cats was due to the relative influence of behaviour and contaminated environment since these cats lived in the same environment as stray dogs. These results are indicative of the situation that stray cats were potential for zoonotic transmission of GI parasites to near by humans or animals.