Potential Zoonotic Trematodes Recovered in Stray Cats from Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait

• Published in: Korean journal of parasitology 2015-06, Vol.53 (3), p.279-287
• Main Authors: Osama Mohamed ElShfei, E.A., Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait, Kuwait, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdou, N.E., Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait, Kuwait, Khalil, A.I., Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt, Maha Khaled, A.B., Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait, Kuwait, Majeed, Q.A.H., Public Authority for Applied Education, Kuwait, Kuwait, Adawia, A.R.H., Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait, Kuwait, Azad Tahrani, L.M., Public Authority of Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Kuwait, Kuwait
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cat Diseases - epidemiology; Cat Diseases - parasitology; Cat Diseases - transmission; Cats; Female; Fish Diseases - epidemiology; Fish Diseases - parasitology; Fishes; Heterophyes heterophyes,Heterophyes dispar,heterophyid,zoonosis,stray cat; KOWEIT; KUWAIT; Kuwait - epidemiology; Male; Original; TREMATODA; Trematoda - classification; Trematoda - genetics; Trematoda - isolation & purification; Trematoda - physiology; Trematode Infections - epidemiology; Trematode Infections - parasitology; Trematode Infections - veterinary; Zoonoses - epidemiology; Zoonoses - parasitology
• ISSN: 0023-4001; 1738-0006
• DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.3.279

Stray cats are a common feature roaming the streets and alleys of Kuwait; they could be a source of parasites, including trematodes, that affect humans. A survey was conducted to identify feline trematodes and throw the light on their public health significance in Kuwait. Out of 240 stray cats trapped from different localities of Kuwait from June 2011 to May 2012, 59 (24.6%) were found to be infected with 14 species of trematodes. The most common were trematodes of the genus Heterophyes, particularly H. heterophyes and H. dispar that were found in respectively 15.8% and 10.8% of the cats examined. Other trematodes recorded, with lower prevalences, were Heterophyes nocens (2.9%), Haplorchis taichui (3.8%), Stictodora sawakinensis (2.1%), Stellantchasmus falcatus (1.6%), Echinochasmus japonicus (1.6%), and Mesostephanus dottrensi (1.3%). Centrocestus cuspidatus, Galactosomum fregatae, Ascocotyle sp., Mesostephanus appendiculatus, Haplorchis yokogawai, and Pygidiopsis genata showed the lowest prevalence (0.4%) and intensity. The majority of the trematodes are recorded for the first time in Kuwait and even in the Gulf region. The study reveals that stray cats are good indicators of fish-borne trematodes in the environment. As all trematodes recovered are zoonotic, their significance to public health should be considred.