Cryptosporidium infection in cats with FeLV or FIV

de Oliveira Lemos F, Almosny NP, Soares AMB, et al. Cryptosporidium species screening using Kinyoun technique in domestic cats with diarrhea. J Feline Med Surg 2012;14:113-117.

C. parvum oocysts

Cryptosporidium is an obligate coccidian that can cause diarrhea. Transmission is primarily through ingestion of contaminated water, though contaminated food and direct contact with animals and contaminated surfaces also can be source of infection. In immune competent animals, infection can be self-limiting. Infection can become severe and chronic in immune compromised patients. Generally, C. felis is a subclinical infection in cats but infection by C. parvum may lead to diarrhea. A common cause of immune suppression in cats is retrovirus infection. This study looked at whether cats infected by a retrovirus are more susceptible to Cryptosporidium infection and whether they exhibit more severe clinical signs. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 60 cats and evaluated for Cryptosporidium and for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody by ELISA testing. Five cats were found to be shedding oocysts. Of these five cats, four were FeLV positive and one was both FeLV and FIV negative. The cats that were FeLV positive had more severe and chronic diarrhea with a larger number of oocysts, while the FeLV/FIV negative cat had a self-limiting diarrhea. [VT]

See also: Scorza V, Tangtrongsup S. Update on the diagnosis and management of Cryptosporidium spp infections in dogs and cats. Top Companion Anim Med 2010;25:163-169.

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de Oliveira Lemos F, Almosny NP, Soares AMB, et al. Cryptosporidium species screening using Kinyoun technique in domestic cats with diarrhea. J Feline Med Surg 2012;14:113-117.

C. parvum oocysts

Cryptosporidium is an obligate coccidian that can cause diarrhea. Transmission is primarily through ingestion of contaminated water, though contaminated food and direct contact with animals and contaminated surfaces also can be source of infection. In immune competent animals, infection can be self-limiting. Infection can become severe and chronic in immune compromised patients. Generally, C. felis is a subclinical infection in cats but infection by C. parvum may lead to diarrhea. A common cause of immune suppression in cats is retrovirus infection. This study looked at whether cats infected by a retrovirus are more susceptible to Cryptosporidium infection and whether they exhibit more severe clinical signs. Blood and fecal samples were collected from 60 cats and evaluated for Cryptosporidium and for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody by ELISA testing. Five cats were found to be shedding oocysts. Of these five cats, four were FeLV positive and one was both FeLV and FIV negative. The cats that were FeLV positive had more severe and chronic diarrhea with a larger number of oocysts, while the FeLV/FIV negative cat had a self-limiting diarrhea. [VT]

See also: Scorza V, Tangtrongsup S. Update on the diagnosis and management of Cryptosporidium spp infections in dogs and cats. Top Companion Anim Med 2010;25:163-169.

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Read the Cat Health News Weekly
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Protozoal Parasites in Cats with Diarrhea

Tzannes, S., D. J. Batchelor, et al. (2008). "Prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora species infections in pet cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 1-8.

The protozoal parasites Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Isospora cause signs of gastrointestinal disease in many mammal species. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important infections of immunocompromised people. The prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in cats varies worldwide, with rates up to 80%. In kittens, Isospora species infection may result in diarrhea that may be mucoid or bloody. The infection is common around the world, with a reported prevalence as high as 44%. This study aimed to evaluate prevalence of Cryptosporidium species, Giardia duodenalis and Isospora species infection in a cohort of cats displaying signs of gastrointestinal disease and to identify if demographic factors, such as signalment, region or season, were correlated with prevalence. Records from a United Kingdom commercial diagnostic laboratory between December 2003 and December 2005 were reviewed. Of 1355 cats, Cryptosporidium species oocysts were found in 13 cats (1%), Giardia species trophozoites in 74 (6%), and Isospora felis oocysts in 46 (3%). Prevalence of Giardia (9%) and Isospora (9%) species was higher in cats less than 6 months old. Gender and breed did not affect prevalence. This study demonstrates that enteric protozoal infection is common in domestic cats showing signs of gastrointestinal disease.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Mekaru, S. R., S. L. Marks, et al. (2007). "Comparison of direct immunofluorescence, immunoassays, and fecal flotation for detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in naturally exposed cats in 4 Northern California animal shelters." J Vet Intern Med 21(5): 959-65.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Tzannes, S., D. J. Batchelor, et al. (2008). "Prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Isospora species infections in pet cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease." J Feline Med Surg 10(1): 1-8.

The protozoal parasites Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Isospora cause signs of gastrointestinal disease in many mammal species. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important infections of immunocompromised people. The prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in cats varies worldwide, with rates up to 80%. In kittens, Isospora species infection may result in diarrhea that may be mucoid or bloody. The infection is common around the world, with a reported prevalence as high as 44%. This study aimed to evaluate prevalence of Cryptosporidium species, Giardia duodenalis and Isospora species infection in a cohort of cats displaying signs of gastrointestinal disease and to identify if demographic factors, such as signalment, region or season, were correlated with prevalence. Records from a United Kingdom commercial diagnostic laboratory between December 2003 and December 2005 were reviewed. Of 1355 cats, Cryptosporidium species oocysts were found in 13 cats (1%), Giardia species trophozoites in 74 (6%), and Isospora felis oocysts in 46 (3%). Prevalence of Giardia (9%) and Isospora (9%) species was higher in cats less than 6 months old. Gender and breed did not affect prevalence. This study demonstrates that enteric protozoal infection is common in domestic cats showing signs of gastrointestinal disease.
>> PubMed abstract

Related articles:
Mekaru, S. R., S. L. Marks, et al. (2007). "Comparison of direct immunofluorescence, immunoassays, and fecal flotation for detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in naturally exposed cats in 4 Northern California animal shelters." J Vet Intern Med 21(5): 959-65.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More