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Toxoplasmosis in Cats and Its Zoonotic Potential in and Around Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus

R. P. Sah*
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Md. H. Talukder
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

A.K.M. Anisur Rahman
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Md B. Hossain
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease, occurs in almost all warm blooded animals including human beings and is caused by a global protozoan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It is estimated that one third of the world human population have been infected by this parasite. This protozoan causes a significant public health problem in humans and imposes considerable economic losses and damages to livestock. The final host is cat, Feliscatus, accounts for all of these significant burdens. Hence the present study was designed to determine the prevalence rate of T. gondii infection in cats and also to analyze the associated factors that were potential for human beings and livestock as well in the period from September 2014 to August 2016. Altogether 254 faecal samples from cat and 390 water samples were collected from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus, farm and residential areas of BAU and were examined for presence of T. gondii oocysts at Department of Parasitology, BAU Mymensingh. The overall prevalence of T. gondii was 4.03% (26/644). Presence of T. gondii oocysts in faecal and water samples were 5.5% (14/254) and 3.08% (12/390), respectively. Adult cats had higher (6.7%) prevalence than young cats (3.8%). Summer season was found high prevalence (6.7%) of oocysts in cat faeces. Similarly drain water found higher positivity (6.67%) of oocysts. Therefore, this study concluded that the cats are contaminating the environment by shedding oocysts and then other animals can get the infection from grazing of contaminated grasses and drinking water. So eating undercooked goat, sheep and cattle meat; eating contaminated vegetables and drinking contaminated water are major sources for getting toxoplasmosis to human beings. Hence this disease has great zoonotic importance around BAU campus and therefore it is essential to create public awareness.

Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, Cat, Zoonotic potential, Prevalence

Location: Mymensingh (in and around BAU campus)

Start Date: 00-09-2014

End Date: 00-08-2016

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Cat, Diseases

Objectives:

A little is known of toxoplasmosis in cats in Bangladesh and there is no information on the excretion of T. gondii oocysts by cats in Bangladesh. Therefore, here we emphasize to report the presence of T. gondii oocysts in cat faeces and contaminated water for the first time in Bangladesh

Methodology:

Examination of cat feces for T. gondii oocysts Altogether 254 samples of cat feces were collected from Mymensingh (in and around BAU campus) in the period from September 2014 to August 2016. People having cats were requested to collect cat faeces in plastic bag and were dispatched to Department of Parasitology, BAU. Faeces were collected cats from student residential place and staff quarters areas of BAU. The cat feces were examined for the presence of T. gondii oocysts using Sheather's sugar flotation as was previously described by Dubey and Beattie (1988); Barutzki and Schaper (2003); Dubey et. al., (2006); Schares et.al., (2008); Dubey JP (2009). Briefly, feces (2-10 gm) of each cat was floated in sucrose solution (454 gm sugar, 355 ml water and 6 ml formalin; specific gravity, 1.203), filtered through gauze and centrifuged in a 15 ml tube at 1500 rpm for 10 min. A drop of the float from the meniscus was examined microscopically between cover slip and glass slide at 200X magnification. Oocyst was subspherical to spherical in shape, 10-12 μm in diameter in size, thick walled structure, containing cellular structures, as there is no maturation to sporozoites at this stage. Measurements of oocysts were taken with the aid of an ocular micrometer.

Examination of Water Samples for T. gondii Oocysts A total of 390 water samples were collected from different water sources (tap/tube well, pond, drain, stagnant water) at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus and adjacent villages like Sheshmore, Sutiakhali, Digerkanda, Fakirkanda, Bhagnabari, Chaurkalibari and Kewatkhali of Mymensingh from September 2014 to August 2016. Sample size was estimated by using the following formula according to Thrusfield (2007): where n is required sample size; 1.96 is the z value for 95% confidence interval; The Pexp (expected prevalence) of water samples is assumed 50% if prevalence is unknown; d is desired absolute precision=5%.

Samples after pre-filtration step were brought to the Department of Parasitology, BAU for further processing and examination. Water samples were examined for the presence of T. gondii oocysts as described by Kourenti et.al. (2003). Briefly, about 30-50 litres each water samples were collected and were filtered with successive decreasing mesh sieves (pre-filtration step) could be incorporated to remove large particles. Then filtration was again performed with one micron pore size polyester filter bag (Duda). The filtrate was washed with 0.5%Tween-20 (laureth-12, polyoxy-ethylensorbitan-monooleate) into 15 ml testtube. The oocysts were floated with sucrose solution (specific gravity: 1.203) by centrifuging at 1500 rpm for 10 min. A drop of the float from meniscus was placed on a clean glass slide, was covered with coverslip and was examined for oocysts microscopically.

Analysis: In this study domestic environmental conditions of thecats were defined as: household cats (indoor only) and street cats (both indoor and outdoor). Age of cat was categorized as young (<4 months) and adult (≥4 months). Season was divided into three: Summer (Mar-Jun), Rainy (Jul-Oct) andWinter (Nov-Feb). Obtained data were compiled in Microsoft Excel and analyzed.

Source of Information: Nepalese Vet. J. 36: 38 –45

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

There is the presence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment (cat faeces, water), which might be hazardous for both public and animal health. Hence this disease has great zoonotic importance around BAU campus and therefore needs to develop public awareness.

Knowledge Management: Journal