Browsing by Author "Monti, Katelynn A."

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    Feline Parasitism:  Parasite Prevalence and Evaluation of New Immunoassays for Giardia and Cryptosporidium
    Monti, Katelynn A. (Virginia Tech, 2017-09-13)
    Cats are infected with a variety of internal parasites, some of which are zoonotic. Therefore, being able to effectively detect and determine prevalence of internal parasites in cats is important for both feline and human health. Some parasites are easier to detect than others. Diagnosing Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. can be difficult because cysts and oocysts shed in the feces are small, shed intermittently, and require a trained technician to consistently identify them. As a result, infections with these protozoan parasites can be missed. Fecal immunoassays detect antigens in feces and can have increased sensitivity when compared to traditional microscopic techniques, but still do not detect every infection. The current reference standard is an immunoassay known as the direct immunofluorescent assay, but it requires expensive equipment and a long incubation period. As a result, two prototype lateral flow fecal immunoassays, the Cryptosporidium EZ VUE and Giardia EZ VUE, designed by TECHLAB® Inc were evaluated for the ability to detect G. duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. infections in cats because they are cheap, easy to use, easy to store and easy to interpret. In addition, samples were examined using a 33% zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) centrifugal fecal flotation procedure and the MERIFLUOR® Cryptosporidium/Giardia direct immunofluorescent assay (IFA), which served as the reference test. Other internal parasites found on the centrifugal fecal flotation with zinc sulfate were recorded to determine prevalence. Both EZ VUE fecal immunoassays demonstrated potential in diagnosing infections in cats when compared to centrifugal fecal flotation and the reference. Additionally, a variety of other internal parasites were identified. This included several potentially zoonotic species including Spirometra mansonoides, Ancylostoma sp. and Toxocara cati, which was also the most commonly identified species of parasite. Additionally, it was determined that several factors may contribute to higher prevalence of parasites especially in cats with the status of stray or feral.
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    Prevalence of zoonotic parasites in feral cats of Central Virginia, USA
    Taetzsch, Sara J.; Gruszynski, Karen R.; Bertke, Andrea S.; Dubey, Jitender P.; Monti, Katelynn A.; Zajac, Anne M.; Lindsay, David S. (2018-09)
    Felis catus, the domestic cat, is the definitive host for parasites that may result in adverse health outcomes in humans. Prevalence data of zoonotic parasites in feral cats, which are free-roaming domestic cats that are born and live in the wild, are limited. The objective of this study was to assess seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and copro-prevalence of potentially zoonotic parasites in feral cats and to evaluate risk factors for seropositivity and faecal excretion of parasites. In this cross-sectional survey, 275 feral cats at Trap-Neuter-Release clinics in Central Virginia were tested for parasites via faecal flotation, direct immunofluorescence assay (faeces) and modified agglutination testing (serum). Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence was 22.35% (95% CI: 17.47-27.86). Faecal prevalence of T.gondii-like oocysts was 1.04% (95% CI: 0.13-3.71), Toxocara cati 58.85% (95% CI: 51.54-65.89), Ancylostoma spp. 18.75% (95% CI: 13.49-25.00), Giardia duodenalis 5.73% (95% CI: 2.89-10.02) and Cryptosporidium spp. 3.33% (95% CI: 1.37-7.24). Female cats were more likely than males to excrete faecal Ancylostoma spp. eggs (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.34-6.17). Adults were more likely than immature cats to be seropositive (OR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.11-3.97) and to excrete faecal Ancylostoma spp. eggs (OR 2.57; 95% CI: 1.10-5.99). However, immature cats were more likely than adults to excrete T.cati eggs (OR 6.79; 95% CI: 3.31-13.90) and to excrete one or more potentially zoonotic species (OR 4.67; 95% CI: 2.28-9.55) in faeces. Results of this study have implications for human and animal health and highlight the importance of collaboration between public health, medical and veterinary communities in preventive efforts.