Endoparasite prevalence and infection risk factors among cats in an animal shelter in Estonia

Cats are important hosts for different zoonotic parasites that can be hazardous to human health. To date, few studies have attempted identify the factors affecting parasitic infections in shelter animals. This study aims analyse presence of endoparasites cats Tartu, Estonia, and endoparasite prevalence intensity. The risk considered were age, location (urban vs rural cats) time spent shelter. In total, 290 faecal samples collected from at an animal 2015-2016 investigated using concentration flotation technique. 138 (47.6%) infected with their overall was: Toxocara cati (36.6%), Cystoisospora spp. (12.4%), Taeniidae gen. sp. (4.1%), Toxoplasma gondii/Hammondia hammondi (3.4%), Eucoleus aerophilus (2.1%), Cryptosporidium Ancylostoma (0.7%) Giardia (0.7%). Coinfections occurred 38 (13.1%) most frequently T. (4.5%), gondii/H. (2.1%). Where species identification cestode nematode was not possible according morphology, genetic analysis mitochondrial cox1 gene carried out. DNA successfully analysed 6 out 13 required identification, revealing tubaeforme one sample Hydatigera taeniaeformis five samples. areas had significantly higher than urban areas. Helminth decreased some extent due anthelmintic treatment available adoption (held ≥15 days shelter), whereas infection protists increased these It is note revealed lower intensity quarantine 1-14 shelter) compared adoption. relatively high (including zoonotic) ready suggests current anthelminthic procedures require improvements.