Owner perception, zoonotic potential and public health significance of intestinal parasitism in pet cats of Bangladesh

Research Article

Owner perception, zoonotic potential and public health significance of intestinal parasitism in pet cats of Bangladesh

K. B. M. Saiful Islam, Syeeda Shiraj-Um-Mahmuda, Md. Hazzaz Bin Kabir, Sujan Kumar Sarkar

Corresponding Author : K. B. M. Saiful Islam

Department of Medicine & Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.

Email ID : vetkbm@yahoo.com

Received : 2018-07-14 Accepted : 2018-10-30 Published : 2018-10-30

Abstract : Recently, the popularity of cats as a pet is increasing in Bangladesh specially in megacities where keeping large pets is difficult. However, this popular pet is being affected by various intestinal parasitism that may threaten public health by spreading zoonotic parasitic diseases. But surprisingly, no comprehensive study has been documented yet detailing the status of parasitic infections in Bangladeshi domestic cats and their public health importance. Therefore, the study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitism in household cats in Dhaka, Bangladesh to find out the associated risk factors and evaluate the perception of cat owners on the zoonotic potential of the associated diseases. Questionnaire based survey was conducted among the cat owners to reveal their perception on parasitic diseases and potential health hazards. Besides, five hundred seventy nine (579) feline fecal samples were examined following standard techniques to explore the status of parasitic infection in cats. The overall prevalence of endoparasitic infection in domestic cats was 77.4% (448/579). Concurrent infections with two or more parasites were recorded in 68.2% cats. The most commonly detected parasites were Toxocara cati (71.9%), Taenia spp. (64.3%), Toxoplasma gondii (40.2 %) Isospora spp. (27.7%), Ancylostoma spp. (26.8%), Strongyloides spp. (15.4%), Sarcocystis spp. (13.6%), and Dypillidium spp. (10.7%). Age, environment and habit were identified to be important risk factors for the parasitic infections in cats. Increased parasitic burden was related to the age of the host and environment. Youngs were more susceptible to parasitic infections than adults. Cats with a habit to go outside frequently were found to harbor more parasitic infections. Only 30.2% of pet owners used prophylactic anthelmintic to their cats on regular basis. Less than 5% of the owners knew about the zoonotic potential of some parasites from cats. In conclusion, present study revealed a comprehensive scenario of parasitic infections in pet cats in Bangladesh for the first time. This high parasitic burden evident from this study could pose a potential threat to public health. Therefore, consideration should begiven to the use of anthelmintics and education of the pet owners.

Keywords : Feline parasitic zonnoses, Domestic cat in Bangladesh, Cat diseases in Bangladesh, etc.

Citation : K. B. M. Saiful Islam et al. (2018). Owner perception, zoonotic potential and public health significance of intestinal parasitism in pet cats of Bangladesh, J. of Advancement in Medical and Life Sciences. V7I1.03. DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.4005248

Copyright : © 2018 K. B. M. Saiful Islam. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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Reviewer Comments : Reviewer-1:
The article has explored a comprehensive scenario of parasitic infections in pet cats in Bangladesh and owner perceptions toward the zoonotic potentials of those parasitism in a well-organized manner. Methodologies were followed logically and scientifically in the article. Results were well compared and discussed in the light of available references. The provisions of references were in order. The work should be considered for publication.
Recommendation: The paper is hereby strongly recommended for Publication.

Reviewer’s name: Prof. Dr. Md. Rayhan Faruque
Designation: Additional Director
Affiliation: Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC)
Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Reviewer-2:
The subject matter of the manuscript is very interesting and equally important for both veterinary and human medicine. Title, abstract and methodologies were well structured. Results and discussion were logical and scientific. Findings will impact on the formulation of public health policies in a country like Bangladesh. The manuscript could be published as a full research paper.

Recommendation: The manuscript is strongly recommended for publication.

Reviewer’s name: Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir
Designation: Researcher, Laboratory of Animal Health
Affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Tokyo, Japan

Reviewer-3:
The tile is catchy and sound. Research objectives were rational, explanatory and easily comprehensive. The methodology corresponds to the activities shown in the manuscript. Valuable findings were obtained and compared. References are in good sequence. The manuscript could be approved for publication.

Recommendation: The paper highly recommended for publication.

Reviewer’s name: Dr. Md. Hemayatul Islam
Designation: Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer
Affiliation: Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences
University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh