Enteric protozoan parasites in stray cats in Kuwait with special references to toxoplasmosis and risk factors affecting its occurrence

ABSTRACT

In Kuwait, stray cats were surveyed for enteric protozoan infection using fecal examination and their sera were tested for Toxoplasma gondii IgG using indirect hemagglutination test [IHAT] as well as for feline immunodeficiency virus [FIV] antibodies and feline leukaemia virus [FeLV] antibodies using ELISA. Out of 240 fecal samples examined 22 [9.2%] were found to be infected with oocysts of four species of coccidian protozoa. Isopspora felis was the most predominant enteric protozoan parasite [7.1%], followed by T. gondii [2.1%], I. rivolta [1.6], Sarcocystis was only found in one case [0.4%]. Juvenile cats [>/= 6 months old] had higher infection rate with oocyst of enteric protozoa than older cats [p-value 0.001]. Sero-survey of 240 stray cats revealed that 19.6% were positive to T gondii IgG. Toxoplasma sero-positivity was observed in higher number of adults compared to young cats suggests that with age the risk of exposure to T gondii increases. While concurrent retroviral infections were not found to be associated with increased risk for developing T. gondii antibodies