Descriptive epidemiology and seasonality of intestinal parasites of cats in Southeast Nigeria

An epidemiological survey was conducted on the prevalence, intensity, seasonality and risk factors associated with intestinal parasites of cats in Southeast Nigeria between February 2011 and January 2012, spanning all the seasons of the year. A total of 119 cats (68 stray and 51 domesticated) were surveyed. Out of these, 88 (73.9 %) were infected with at least one intestinal parasite. In terms of individual infections, Dipylidium caninum had the highest prevalence (59.7 %) and intensity (42.5 ± 4.3), while the lowest prevalence was for Blastocystis spp. (1.7 % prevalence and 0.8 ± 0.6 intensity). While the prevalence of individual parasites was comparable between the stray and domesticated cats except for Blastocystis spp., the intensity of infection was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in stray than domesticated cats. The prevalences of infection of the individual parasites were comparable by gender (p > 0.05) except for Blastocystis spp. but age dependent. On the basis of individual organisms, prevalence of nematode parasites was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in kittens than adult cats, cestodes were significantly higher in adults than kittens, trematode showed insignificant difference by age (p > 0.05) while protozoa followed no definite pattern. The overall prevalence of the parasitic agents varied significantly (p < 0.05) with seasonal changes, being highest during summer (June-August) and least during winter (December-February). Age, residency status and seasonal variations were found to be important risk factors associated with infection. The above findings are critical, given recent concerns about the growing public health importance of zoonosis worldwide. © 2013 Springer-Verlag London.