Endoparasites of Zoonotic Importance

A total number of 50 catsʹ faeces samples was collected from different areas in Sharkia governorate, Egypt. All samples were examined for the presence of endoparasites. Moreover, 150 serum samples of sheep, goats and cattle (50, each) and 100 sera of human beings [apparently healthy males and females (50), pregnant and aborted women (25, each)] were examined for the presence of anti- T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. The results revealed that the overall prevalence of infection with endoparasites in the examined cats was 60% (30 out of 50 examined). The most prevalent parasite in catsʹ faeces was T. gondii (50%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp (30%), T. cati (18%), Blastocystis spp (10%), Strongyloid and Cyclospora (2%, each). The prevalence of anti- T. gondii IgG antibodies in sheep versus goats versus cattle was (18% Vs 16% Vs 12%). Twelve percent of the apparently healthy humans were seropositive to anti- T. gondii IgG (10% IgG and 2% both IgG and IgM) with high frequency in females (8%) than males (4%). However, the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG in pregnant women examined was 16% (12% IgG and 4% IgG +IgM). IgM antibodies were detected in 8% of cases (4% IgM alone and 4% mixed with IgG). On the other hand, 40% of aborted women had anti-T. gondii IgG (28% IgG alone and 12% IgG mixed with IgM). The high infection rate of gastrointestinal helminths in stray cats is considered to be critical from the viewpoints of public health, some of which are responsible for several zoonotic diseases and this is clear from the highest seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in man. Hence, it is imperative that appropriate control strategies and measures be implemented to prevent and control the infection of stray cats with helminths in order to control such zoonotic diseases in man.