Seasonal distributions and other risk factors for Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. infections in dogs and cats in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The objectives of this study were to explore risk factors associated with Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections in dogs and cats in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to describe the seasonal distributions of Giardia and Cryptosporidium prevalence, and to determine the potential for zoonotic transmission through genetic characterization of isolates. Fecal samples from 301 dogs and 66 cats were collected between August 2009 and February 2010. The presence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts was determined using zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation and immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Genotype/species were determined by DNA sequence analyses of PCR products from Giardia glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), beta-giardin (bg), and triosephosphateisomerase (tpi) and Cryptosporidium heat shock protein 70KDa (hsp70) and small subunit-rRNA (SSU-rRNA) genes. Information related to specific risk factors was collected from owners of each animal using a questionnaire. The risk factor data were analyzed for associations with Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections using logistic regression. The overall estimated prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in dogs was 25.2% and 7.6%, respectively and in cats, 27.3% and 12.1%, respectively. The estimated prevalence of Giardia infection in dogs in the rainy season (31.7%) was significantly higher than in the drier, winter season (17.2%) (p < 0.01). The estimated prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in dogs and of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections in cats was not associated with season (p > 0.05). Multivariable analysis indicated that Giardia cysts were more likely to be detected in fecal samples of dogs that resided in high-density environments, drank untreated water, were shedding Cryptosporidium oocysts, were having acute diarrhea or a history of chronic diarrhea, and were collected in the rainy season. All 19 Giardia PCR positive samples typed as G. duodenalis canine adapted genotypes (assemblages C or D). In cats, of six Giardia PCR positive samples, five typed as dog assemblages and one typed as assemblage AI. Of ten dogs with Cryptosporidium PCR positive samples, eight typed as C. canis, one as C. parvum (a zoonotic species) and one had both C. canis and C. parvum. Of three Cryptosporidium PCR positive samples in cats, one typed as C. felis and two typed as C. parvum. The presence of zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblage AI in a cat, and C. parvum in feces of dogs and cats suggests a potential role for a reservoir for zoonotic transmission. Whether or not these presences were from exposure to other animal or human hosts or environment are needed to be confirmed.

Prevalence and Multilocus Genotyping Analysis of Cryptosporidium and Giardia Isolates from Dogs in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The occurrence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis isolated from dogs in Chiang Mai, Thailand were determined. Fecal samples were collected from 109 dogs between July and August 2008. Cryptosporidium spp. infection was determined by immunofluorescent assay (IFA), PCR assays that amplify Cryptosporidium heat-shock protein 70 kDa (hsp70), and two PCR assays that amplify a small subunit-ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA). Giardiaduodenalis infection was identified using zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation, IFA, and four PCR assays that amplify the Giardia glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), beta-giardin (bg), and generic and dog-specific assays of triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. Overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G.duodenalis was 31.2% and 45.9%, respectively. Sequence analysis of 22 Cryptosporidium-positive samples and 21 Giardia-positive samples revealed the presence of C.canis in 15, and C. parvum in 7, G. duodenalis Assemblage C in 8, D in 11, and mixed of C and D in 2 dogs. Dogs in Chiang Mai were commonly exposed to Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis. Cryptosporidium parvum can be isolated from the feces of dogs, and all G. duodenalis assemblages were dog-specific. Dogs could be a reservoir for a zoonotic Cryptosporidium infection in humans, but further studies will be required to determine the clinical and zoonotic importance.

Prevalence of Selected Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Agents in Dogs and Cats on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and vector-borne agents of dogs and cats in the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota were determined. Fecal samples (84 dogs, 9 cats) were examined by centrifugal floatation and by immunofluorescence assay (FA) for Giardia and Cryptosporidium. PCR was performed on Giardia [beta-giardin (bg), triose phosphate isomerase (tpi), glutamate dehydrogenase genes (gdh)] and Cryptosporidium [heat shock protein-70 gene (hsp)] FA positive samples. Cat sera (n = 32) were tested for antibodies against Bartonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and FIV, and antigens of FeLV and Dirofilaria immitis. Dog sera (n = 82) were tested for antibodies against T. gondii, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum and D. immitis antigen. Blood samples (92 dogs, 39 cats) were assessed by PCR for amplification of DNA of Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., haemoplasmas, and Babesia spp. (dogs only). The most significant results were Giardia spp. (32% by FA), Taenia spp. (17.8%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (7.1%). The Giardia isolates typed as the dog-specific assemblages C or D and four Cryptosporidium isolates typed as C. canis. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 15% of the dogs. Antibodies against Bartonella spp. and against T. gondii were detected in 37.5% and 6% of the cats respectively. FeLV antigen was detected in 10% of the cats.

Evaluation of bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 240 samples from 20 raw meat diets for dogs (containing beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey), 24 samples from 2 dry dog foods, and 24 samples from 2 canned dog foods. PROCEDURE: Each product was purchased commercially on 4 dates approximately 2 months apart. Three samples from each product at each sampling period were evaluated via bacterial culture for non-type-specific Escherichia coli (NTSEC), Salmonella enterica, and Campylobacter spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on selected isolates. Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect DNA from Cryptosporidium spp, Neospora spp, and Toxoplasma spp in samples obtained in the third and fourth sampling periods. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three of 288 (53%) samples were contaminated with NTSEC. Both raw and prepared foods contained NTSEC during at least 1 culture period. Salmonella enterica was recovered from 17 (5.9%) samples, all of which were raw meat products. Campylobacter spp was not isolated from any samples. In 91 of 288 (31.6%) samples, there was no gram-negative bacterial growth before enrichment and in 48 of 288 (16.7%) samples, there was no aerobic bacterial growth before enrichment. Susceptibility phenotypes were variable. Cryptosporidium spp DNA was detected in 3 samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bacterial contamination is common in commercially available raw meat diets, suggesting that there is a risk of foodborne illness in dogs fed these diets as well possible risk for humans associated with the dogs or their environments.