Lider Lyudmila A, Kiyan Vladimir, Seitkamzina Dinara M, Ussenbayev Altay, Akmambaeva Botakoz E, Uakhit Rabiga S, Mannapova Nellya E, Sytnik Igor, Bauer Christian
Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agro-Technical Research University, 010011, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, 010000, Astana, Kazakhstan.
Vet World. 2025 Jun;18(6):1748-1758. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.1748-1758. Epub 2025 Jun 27.
Cats act as reservoirs for various gastrointestinal parasites, including species of significant zoonotic concern such as , and . However, data on the prevalence and risk factors associated with feline endoparasites in Kazakhstan remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, species diversity, and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in urban cat populations across five major cities in Kazakhstan, thereby supporting the One Health framework for the prevention of zoonotic diseases.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2023 to January 2025, involving 1,301 fecal samples collected from both client-owned and stray cats in Almaty, Astana, Oral, Qostanai, and Shymkent. Standardized Sheather's sugar flotation was used to detect helminth eggs and coccidia oocysts in all samples, while coproantigen was assessed in 1,256 samples using a commercial immunochromatographic assay (FASTest® CRYPTO-GIARDIA strip test kit, MEGACOR, Austria). Prevalence differences across categories - ownership status, sex, age class, and city - were evaluated using the Chi-squared test, and odds ratios (OR) were calculated to identify significant risk factors.
Overall, 17.7% (230/1,301) of cats were infected with at least one intestinal parasite species. The most prevalent species were (7.2%), (6.2%), (2.0%), and (6.4%). -like oocysts ( or ) were detected in 0.6% of samples. Significant variation in parasite prevalence was observed among cities. Stray cats were significantly more likely to harbor and . Female cats had higher odds of testing positive for (OR = 1.8). Infections with , , and showed a significant association with age, with kittens (<6 months) being approximately twice as likely to test positive for these parasites compared to adult cats.
This study represents the first comprehensive assessment of gastrointestinal parasitism in urban cats in Kazakhstan. The detection of zoonotic parasites and identification of significant demographic risk factors underscore the need for enhanced public health strategies, including educational outreach, targeted deworming protocols, and environmental hygiene measures. Future molecular investigations are necessary to differentiate from and to genotype assemblages. Soil surveillance in public spaces is also recommended to assess environmental contamination and potential exposure risk to humans, particularly children.
猫是多种胃肠道寄生虫的宿主，包括一些具有重要人畜共患病风险的物种，如[具体物种1]、[具体物种2]和[具体物种3]。然而，哈萨克斯坦猫体内寄生虫感染率及相关风险因素的数据仍然有限。本研究旨在确定哈萨克斯坦五个主要城市城市猫群肠道寄生虫感染的感染率、物种多样性和风险因素，从而支持预防人畜共患病的“同一健康”框架。
2023年8月至2025年1月进行了一项横断面调查，收集了来自阿拉木图、阿斯塔纳、乌拉尔、科斯塔奈和奇姆肯特的1301份客户拥有的猫和流浪猫的粪便样本。所有样本均采用标准化的谢弗氏糖浮选法检测蠕虫卵和球虫卵囊，同时使用商业免疫层析法（FASTest® CRYPTO - GIARDIA试纸条检测试剂盒，奥地利MEGACOR公司）对1256份样本检测贾第虫属共同抗原。使用卡方检验评估不同类别（所有权状态、性别、年龄组和城市）之间的感染率差异，并计算比值比（OR）以确定显著的风险因素。
总体而言，17.7%（230/1301）的猫感染了至少一种肠道寄生虫物种。最常见的物种是[具体物种4]（7.2%）、[具体物种5]（6.2%）、[具体物种6]（2.0%）和[具体物种7]（6.4%）。在0.6%的样本中检测到类贾第虫属卵囊（[具体物种8]或[具体物种9]）。不同城市的寄生虫感染率存在显著差异。流浪猫感染[具体物种4]和[具体物种5]的可能性显著更高。母猫感染[具体物种7]呈阳性的几率更高（OR = 1.8）。感染[具体物种4]、[具体物种5]和[具体物种7]与年龄显著相关，小猫（<6个月）感染这些寄生虫呈阳性的可能性是成年猫的两倍左右。
本研究是哈萨克斯坦城市猫胃肠道寄生虫感染的首次综合评估。人畜共患寄生虫的检测以及显著人口统计学风险因素的识别强调了加强公共卫生策略的必要性，包括开展教育宣传、制定针对性的驱虫方案和环境卫生措施。未来有必要进行分子研究以区分[具体物种10]和[具体物种11]，并对[具体物种12]进行基因分型。还建议对公共场所进行土壤监测，以评估环境污染以及对人类，尤其是儿童的潜在暴露风险。
