Investigation of Zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia intestinalis Species and Genotypes in Cats (Felis catus)

Abstract

Objective: Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are important zoonotic protozoan parasites that infect humans and various animals. We investigated the occurrence of G. intestinalis and Cryptosporidium spp. infection in cats. To provide data on the zoonotic transmission dynamics of these parasites, genotypes of the detected isolates were investigated through DNA sequence characterization. Methods: A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from cats between June and October 2020 in Kayseri and Samsun provinces. Fecal samples were examined by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), targeting the β-giardin gene of G. intestinalis and small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium spp. All PCR products were sequenced for genotyping. Results: Of the samples examined, Giardia intestinalis was determined in 8 samples (8.0%), whereas none of the samples were found positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Sequence analyses of the β-giardin PCR products indicated that all G. intestinalis isolates were classed into the zoonotic assemblage B. Conclusion: This study adds to the current data on the molecular epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in cats. The findings also highlight the potential risk of cats for public health concerning the zoonotic transmission dynamics of G. intestinalis. © 2021 Turkish Society for Parasitology-Available online at www.turkiyeparazitolderg.org.