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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #190717
Title: PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM, GIARDIA AND ENTEROCYTOZOON BIENEUSI GENOTYPES IN CATS FROM BOGOTA (COLUMBIA)

Author
item Santin-Duran, Monica
item Trout, James
item CORTES VECINO, JESUS - U.OF COLUMBIA,SOUTH AMRC
item Dubey, Jitender
item Fayer, Ronald

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2006
Publication Date: 10/11/2006
Citation: Santín, M., Trout J.M., Dubey, J.P., Vecino, J.A. and Fayer, R. Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in cats from Bogota (Colombia) and genotyping of isolates. Vet. Parasitol. 141:334-339.

Interpretive Summary: The prevalence of the protozoon parasites Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in 46 cats from Bogota (Colombia) was determined. Fecal specimens and scrapings of the intestinal wall were analyzed using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Six (13%) cats were infected with Cryptosporidium, three (6.5%) were infected with Giardia, and eight (17%) were infected with E. bieneusi. This is the first report on the presence of human infectious Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi in cats in Colombia.

Technical Abstract: The prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cats from Bogota (Colombia) was determined from fecal specimens and scrapings of duodenal and ileal mucosa screened by PCR. All PCR-positive specimens were sequenced to determine the genotype(s) present. Of 46 cats, six (13%) were positive for Cryptosporidium, five were infected with C. felis and one with C. muris. Three (6.5%) cats were infected with Giardia duodenalis Assemblage F. Eight (17 %) cats were infected with four genotypes of E. bieneusi: genotype D-like, K, Peru10, and Peru 5. This is the first report on the presence of zoonotic species/genotypes of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi in cats in Colombia.