Hong Sooji, Shin Hyejoo, Ryoo Seungwan, Lee Chung-Won, Park Jae-Young, Chai Jong-Yil, Jung Bong-Kwang
MediCheck Research Institute, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07572, Korea.
KAHP Parasite Museum, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07572, Korea.
Parasites Hosts Dis. 2025 May;63(2):182-187. doi: 10.3347/PHD.24061. Epub 2025 May 26.
Stray cats serve as reservoir hosts for various zoonotic parasites, posing a significant risk of transmission to humans. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasitic infections in stray cats from Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. A total of 101 fecal and 237 blood (serum) samples were collected from 237 stray cats captured through the trapneuter-return program in 2021. The samples were analyzed using microscopy, nested-PCR, and ELISA to detect parasitic infections. Fecal examination revealed that Toxocara cati eggs were present in 26.7% (27/101) of samples, while eggs of Spirometra sp. (2%), Clonorchis sinensis (1%), and Trichuris sp. (1%) were also detected. PCR analysis identified Toxoplasma gondii DNA in 17 (16.8%) fecal samples, while genetic markers of Cryptosporidium felis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi were each detected in 4 (4%) samples. Positive rates of IgM and IgG were 21.9% (52/237) and 21.1% (50/237) in serological tests for T. gondii-specific antibodies. This study confirms the widespread presence of zoonotic parasites in stray cats from Gimpo-si, highlighting the potential public health risks associated with these infections. Continuous surveillance and control measures are essential from a One Health perspective to reduce the risk of zoonotic transmission.
流浪猫是多种人畜共患寄生虫的储存宿主，对人类构成重大传播风险。本研究旨在评估韩国京畿道金浦市流浪猫的寄生虫感染率。2021年，通过诱捕-绝育-放归计划捕获了237只流浪猫，共采集了101份粪便样本和237份血液（血清）样本。使用显微镜检查、巢式PCR和酶联免疫吸附测定法对样本进行分析，以检测寄生虫感染情况。粪便检查显示，26.7%（27/101）的样本中存在猫弓首蛔虫卵，同时还检测到了裂头绦虫属（2%）、华支睾吸虫（1%）和鞭虫属（1%）的虫卵。PCR分析在17份（16.8%）粪便样本中鉴定出了刚地弓形虫DNA，而在4份（4%）样本中分别检测到了猫隐孢子虫和微小隐孢子虫的基因标记。在弓形虫特异性抗体的血清学检测中，IgM和IgG的阳性率分别为21.9%（52/237）和21.1%（50/237）。本研究证实了金浦市流浪猫中存在广泛的人畜共患寄生虫，突出了这些感染相关的潜在公共卫生风险。从“同一健康”的角度来看，持续监测和控制措施对于降低人畜共患传播风险至关重要。
