Epidemiologist Kedi Labs, Inc. Houston, Texas, United States
Abstract:
Background: Gastrointestinal parasites in pet cats are frequently detected in wellness tests. Zoonotic parasites are a One Health concern and early detection and identification reduces exposure and risk of human infection. Intestinal parasite frequency in feral cat populations however is less well characterized and may be a source of continues re-infection for the pet cat population.
Objectives: To compare the frequency and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in feral and pet cats in Houston, Texas, over a 4-month period.
Animals: Stool samples were collected from 250 feral cats undergoing spay/neuter procedures at a Houston Spay Neuter. The pet cat population consisted of 423 fecal samples collected from pet cats and submitted to a reference lab during the same time frame, March to June 2024, and geographic location.
Methods: Fecal samples were analyzed using molecular tests for 20 parasites, benzimidazole resistance markers in the canine hookworm and for Giardia with zoonotic potential (KeyScreen® GI Parasite PCR, Antech Diagnostics, Inc. Mars Petcare Science & Diagnostics). Data was compared to a time and geography matched data set from samples submitted to a reference laboratory.
Results: The overall frequency of any intestinal parasites detected in feral cats was almost 3-times higher than in pet cats (91.6% vs 34.8%, Table). Cryptosporidium felis and Ancylostoma spp. were 8- 18-times higher in feral cats.
Conclusions: Intestinal parasites frequencies in a feral cat population are substantially higher than in a comparable pet cat population and constitute a risk population from a One Health perspective.
