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Parasite in Geoff roy’s cat
Neotropical Helminthology, Vol. 20, Nº2, jul - dec 2026
Neotropical Helminthology
Neotropical Helminthology, 2026, vol. 20 (2), 287-294
ORIGINAL ARTICLE / ARTÍCULO ORIGINAL
EVALUATION OF THE OCCURRENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS AND
GIARDIASIS IN DOMESTIC CATS (FELIS CATTUS LINNAEUS, 1758) FROM
SHELTERS IN THE STATE OF SERGIPE, BRAZIL
EVALUACIÓN DE LA OCURRENCIA DE CRIPTOSPORIDIOSIS Y
GIARDIASIS EN GATOS DOMÉSTICOS (FELIS CATTUS LINNAEUS, 1758)
DE REFUGIOS DEL ESTADO DE SERGIPE, BRASIL
AVALIAÇÃO DA OCORRÊNCIA DE CRIPTOSPORIDIOSE E GIARDÍASE EM
GATOS DOMÉSTICOS (FELIS CATTUS LINNAEUS, 1758) DE ABRIGOS DO
ESTADO DE SERGIPE, BRASIL
Fernanda Érica Pereira Fonseca
1,2,3
, João Victor Batista dos Santos
1,2*
, Éverton Almeida Pereira
3
; Allan
Costa Gomes
1,2
; João Victor de Jesus
1,2
, Manuel Benicio Oliveira Neto
1,2
, Weslania Souza Inacio da Sil-
va
1,2
, José Rodrigo Santos Silva
2
, Patrícia Oliveira Meira Santos
4
& Victor Fernando Santana Lima
1,2,4
ISSN Versión Impresa 2218-6425 ISSN Versión Electrónica 1995-1403
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62429/rnh20262022228
Este artículo es publicado por la revista Neotropical Helminthology de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemática, Universidad Nacional Federico
Villarreal, Lima, Perú auspiciado por la Asociación Peruana de Helmintología e Invertebrados Afi nes (APHIA). Este es un artículo de acceso abierto,
distribuido bajo los términos de la licencia Creative Commons Atribución 4.0 Internacional (CC BY 4.0) [https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
deed.es] que permite el uso, distribución y reproducción en cualquier medio, siempre que la obra original sea debidamente citada de su fuente original.
ABSTRACT
Domestic fe lines are prevalent in areas of human occupation, even when they are not kept as pets. In view of the above, the
present study aims to evaluate the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in domestic cats from shelters in the state
of Sergipe, Brazil. For this purpose, fecal parasitological analyses were performed on cats from shelters, colonies, and NGOs
1 Graduate Program in Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão - SE, Brazil.
2 Laboratory of Veterinary Infectious Diseases, University Veterinary Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão
- SE, Brazil.
3 University Veterinary Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão - SE, Brazil.
4 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão - SE, Brazil.
* Corresponding author: jvbatista2002@gmail.com
Fernanda Érica Pereira Fonseca: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2360-3367
João Victor Batista dos Santos: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6554-3597
Éverton Almeida Pereira: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8216-556X
Allan Costa Gomes: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5678-8142
João Victor de Jesus: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8786-0713
Manuel Benicio Oliveira Neto: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7499-4971
Weslania Souza Inacio da Silva: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4393-544X
José Rodrigo Santos Silva: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1918-7122
Patrícia Oliveira Meira Santos: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6346-3430
Victor Fernando Santana Lima: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7255-0664
288
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Pereira Fonseca et al.
using the Willis-Mollay and centrifugation-sedimentation techniques with Ziehl-Neelsen staining for the identification
of gastrointestinal parasites. Of the samples collected, 60,87% were positive for one or more parasites. Cryptosporidium
sp. had a prevalence of 23,9% in the feline population studied, followed by Giardia duodenalis (Lambl, 1859) with 4,3%.
Other parasitic agents were identified, namely Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara sp., and Cystoisospora sp. e results demonstrate
the circulation of protozoa with zoonotic potential, as well as co-infecting parasites, in feline populations from shelters,
colonies, and NGOs in the state of Sergipe.
Keywords: Cats – Felines – Parasites – Zoonoses
RESUMEN
Los felinos domésticos son prevalentes en áreas de ocupación humana, incluso cuando no se mantienen como animales de
compañía. Ante lo expuesto, el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar la ocurrencia de criptosporidiosis y giardiasis
en gatos domésticos de refugios del estado de Sergipe, Brasil. Para ello, se realizaron análisis parasitológicos fecales de gatos
provenientes de refugios, colonias y ONG mediante las técnicas de Willis-Mollay y centrifugación-sedimentación con tinción
de Ziehl-Neelsen para la identificación de parásitos gastrointestinales. De las muestras recolectadas, el 60,87% fueron positivas
para uno o más parásitos. Cryptosporidium sp. presentó una prevalencia del 23,9% en la población de felinos estudiada,
seguida de Giardia duodenalis (Lambl, 1859) con un 4,3%. Se identificaron otros agentes parasitarios, siendo Ancylostoma
sp., Toxocara sp. y Cystoisospora sp. Los resultados demuestran la circulación de protozoos con potencial zoonótico, así como
de parásitos coinfectantes, en poblaciones de felinos de refugios, colonias y ONG en el estado de Sergipe.
Palabras clave: Felinos – Gatos – Parásitos – Zoonosis
RESUMO
Felinos domésticos são prevalentes em áreas de ocupação humana, mesmo quando não são mantidos como animais de
estimação. Diante do exposto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência de criptosporidiose e giardíase
em gatos domésticos de abrigos do estado de Sergipe, Brasil. Para isso, foram realizadas análises parasitológicas fecais
de gatos provenientes de abrigos, colônias e ONGs através das técnicas de Willis-Mollay e de centrifugo-sedimentação
com a coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen para a identificação de parasitos gastrointestinais. Das amostras coletadas, 60,87%
foram positivas para um ou mais parasitos. Cryptosporidium sp. apresentou prevalência de 23,9% na população de felinos
estudada, seguida de Giardia duodenalis (Lambl, 1859) com 4,3%. Outros agentes parasitários foram identificados, sendo
Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara sp. e Cystoisospora sp. Os resultados demonstram a circulação de protozoários com potencial
zoonótico, bem como parasitos coinfectantes em populações de felinos em abrigos, colônias e ONG’s no estado de Sergipe.
Palavras-chave: Felinos – Gatos – Parasitos – Zoonoses
INTRODUCTION
Domestic cats (Felis cattus Linnaeus, 1758) are highly
prevalent in areas of human occupation, even when they
are not kept as pets. ey frequently inhabit parks, farms,
parking lots, and universities, where they find shelter and
food sources (Vitale, 2022; Luzardo et al., 2023). Stray
cat populations can reproduce rapidly, making it necessary
to adopt population control measures in order to prevent
the spread of zoonoses such as toxoplasmosis, giardiasis,
sporotrichosis, and rabies (Ferreira et al., 2024).
Parasitic diseases, considered the most neglected zoonotic
problems in cats, mainly involve two genera of protozoa,
Giardia and Cryptosporidium (Procesi et al., 2023).
Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis are common protozoal
enteric infections in felines and are frequently discussed
together (Coelho et al., 2023). They share similar
transmission routes (fecal-oral, through the dissemination
of cysts or oocysts, eliminated in feces) and overlapping
clinical signs, differing significantly in terms of zoonotic
potential (Blasco et al., 2021; Barbosa et al., 2023).
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Neotropical Helminthology, Vol. 20, Nº2, jul - dec 2026
Giardiasis in cats is caused by the parasite G. duodenalis
(Lambl, 1859), a fl agellated protozoan that colonizes the
small intestine. Hosts are generally infected by ingesting
cysts present in contaminated water or food, or through
grooming behavior after contact with infected feces.
Infected hosts may be asymptomatic carriers or may
present clinical signs ranging from chronic or intermittent
diarrhea, frequently pale, soft, and mucoid, to cachexia,
especially in kittens or immunosuppressed patients (Sun
et al., 2023).
Feline cryptosporidiosis is typically caused by the protozoan
F. cattus, an apicomplexan parasite that infects the brush
border of intestinal epithelial cells, not living freely in the
lumen like Giardia spp. (Karimi et al., 2023). Infection
occurs through the ingestion of oocysts, which are extremely
resistant to chemical disinfectants and environmental
degradation (Koseoglu et al., 2022). Most infections in
felines are subclinical, with clinical alterations characterized
by watery diarrhea, more pronounced in young hosts,
immunocompromised hosts, or those with concomitant
FIV/FeLV infection (Mukbel et al., 2024).
In view of the above, the present study aims to evaluate the
occurrence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in domestic
cats (F. cattus) from shelters in the state of Sergipe, Brazil.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
e study was conducted with felines from shelters, colonies
and/or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the
municipalities of Aracaju, São Cristóvão, Nossa Senhora
da Glória, and Canindé do São Francisco in the state of
Sergipe (10º13’06” S/37º25’13” W), Brazil (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Map of Brazil highlighting the state of Sergipe, where the research was carried out, followed by the municipalities
of Aracaju (1), Canindé do São Francisco (2), Nossa Senhora da Glória (3), and São Cristóvão (4).
Research Design
To achieve the proposed objectives, fecal samples from
felines of diff erent breeds, sexes, and age groups over
1 month of age were used. All animals were evaluated
according to the following steps: 1) Anamnesis; 2) Physical
examination; 3) Collection of biological samples (feces) for
diagnostic purposes of gastrointestinal parasitoses. When
the number of animals per enclosure was greater than fi ve
animals/pen, 01 pool of fecal samples was collected (for
every 5 animals).
All clinical changes observed in the animals were
characterized and described in individual records. It is
worth noting that the sampling used was non-probabilistic
convenience sampling, obtaining the largest possible
number of fecal samples from the felines present on the
property.
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Pereira Fonseca et al.
Sample Collection
A total of 46 fecal samples from cats were collected, with the
material being placed in an identified collection container
and subsequently stored in insulated boxes at 4°C and then
sent for processing at the Parasitology Laboratory of the
Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Sergipe
(UFS), Brazil.
Parasitological Evaluation
For the diagnosis and identification of gastrointestinal
parasites, two different fecal coproparasitological techniques
were used, namely the Willis-Mollay technique and the
centrifugation-sedimentation technique with Ziehl-Neelsen
staining for the identification of Cryptosporidium sp.
a) Willis-Mollay Technique
e Willis-Mollay method is based on the principle of
flotation of helminth eggs and cysts/oocysts of protozoa
considered light, involving a hypersaturated sucrose or
saline solution.
Five g of the fecal sample were weighed and added to
20 mL of sucrose solution in a tube, followed by the
homogenization process. Subsequently, the obtained
solution was subjected to sieving, with the objective of
filtering the sample and removing larger solid residues.
e filtered material was transferred to another test tube,
filling the volume until the formation of a convex meniscus.
A slide was positioned over the tube so that it came into
direct contact with the meniscus. e sample remained at
rest for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the parasite
eggs to rise and adhere to the slide. After this period, the
slide was removed from the tube, and a coverslip was
placed over it for microscopic analysis using the 100X
and 400X objectives.
b) Modified Centrifugation-Sedimentation Technique
with Ziehl-Neelsen Staining
Through this technique, greater identification of
Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts can be achieved, which, due
to their small size, present difficulties in detection (Ritchie,
1948).
Five g of feces were added to 20 mL of distilled water,
followed by homogenization and then the sieving process.
e filtered material was transferred to a test tube and
subjected to centrifugation for 5 minutes at 10,000 rpm.
After this procedure, the supernatant was discarded, leaving
only the sediment in the tube, which constituted the sample
intended for analysis. With the aid of a pipette, part of the
sediment was deposited onto the slide, which was placed to
dry by heat. After drying, the smear was stained, beginning
with the addition of 0.5% fuchsin, which remained in
contact with the sample for 5 minutes. Subsequently, the
slides were washed under running water and covered with
acid-alcohol for 1 minute, and then washed again with
water. Subsequently, the slide was covered with 0.5%
methylene blue for 3 minutes, followed by another wash
under running water. After final drying, immersion oil
was added to the slides for microscopic analysis using the
1000X objective.
Statistical Analyses
e data obtained were recorded in Microsoft Excel 2
spreadsheets and statistically evaluated using R© software,
the X2 test, binomial test, Kendall’s Tau-b test, Kendall’s
Tau-c test, and relative and absolute frequency.
Ethical Aspects: e present study was approved by the
Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals of the Federal
University of Sergipe (No. 3123080523). e participation
of the animals was carried out through contact with the
shelter, which agreed to participate voluntarily, upon signing
an Informed Consent Form, following the guidelines
outlined in Resolution No. 466/2012 of the National
Commission for Ethics in Research of the National Health
Council of the Ministry of Health.
RESULTS
Regarding the prevalence of samples collected by sex,
23,9% (n=11/46) were females, followed by males (17,4%;
n=8/46) and both sexes in collective boxes (58,7%;
n=27/46) (Table 1).
Table 1. Prevalence of samples collected according to the
age group of animals from shelters, NGOs, and colonies.
Age group AF RF (%)
Kitten 8 17.4
Young 5 10.9
Adult 13 28.3
Young and Adult 3 6.5
Kitten, Young and Adult 17 37
Total 46 100
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Neotropical Helminthology, Vol. 20, Nº2, jul - dec 2026
Regarding the prevalence of clinical alterations in
felines, 28,3% (n=13/46) presented diarrhea, followed
by rhinotracheitis (4,3%; n=2/46), skin scaling (4,3%;
n=2/46), nasal ulcer (4,3%; n=2/46), perianal scaling lesion
(4,3%; n=2/46), conjunctivitis (2,2%; n=1/46), ocular
corneal ulcer (2,2%; n=1/46), lacerative dermatological
lesions (2,2%; n=1/46) and alopecia (2,2%; n=1/46).
71,7% (n=33/46) of the individuals did not present clinical
alterations.
Regarding the prevalence of feces consistency per animal,
65,2% (n=30/46) presented feces of normal consistency,
followed by soft (28,3%; n=13/46) and dry (6,5%;
n=3/46). Regarding the prevalence of animals positive
for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites, 60,87%
(n=28/46) were positive for the presence of gastrointestinal
parasites. Regarding the prevalence of gastrointestinal
parasites and co-infections diagnosed in fecal samples,
23,9% (n=11/46) were Cryptosporidium sp., followed
by Ancylostoma sp. (15,2%; n=7/46), Cryptosporidium
sp. and Ancylostoma sp. (8,7%; n=4/46), G. duodenalis
(4,3%; n=2/46), Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara sp. and
Cryptosporidium sp. (4,3%; n=2/46), Toxocara sp. and
Cryptosporidium sp. (2,2%; n=1/46), and Cystoisospora
sp., Ancylostoma sp., Toxocara sp. and Cryptosporidium
sp. (2,2%; n=1/46) (Figure 2 and Table 2)
.
Figure 2. Identified parasites. A. Oocyst of Cystoisospora sp., B. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp., C. Oocyst of Giardia sp.,
D. Egg of Ancylostoma sp. Source: (Personal Archive 2024/2025).
Table 2. Detection of parasites related to the sex parameter and their statistical results.
Sex Parasites Positive Negative X2Tau-b Kendall Fi
Female G. duodenalis * 6
Male * 2 0.44 0,12 0.44
Female and Male 2 9
Female Ancylostoma sp. 1 6
Male 2 2 0.44 0.56 0.44
Female and Male 4 9
Female Cryptosporidium sp.1 6 0.25 0.25 0.06
Male 1 2
Female and Male 9 9
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Pereira Fonseca et al.
DISCUSSION
The present work evaluates the occurrence of
cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in domestic cats (F. cattus)
located in shelters and colonies of municipalities in the
state of Sergipe, Brazil.
e presence of sick felines together with animals
without clinical alterations is notable, in addition to
individuals positive for the presence of gastrointestinal
parasites (60,87%; n=28/46). Parasitized hosts represent
an important source of maintenance of the cycle of
cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and the co-parasitic agents
detected (Gavioli et al., 2011). ese release cysts and
eggs in their feces, contaminating the environment and
making domestic felines that share the same environment
in shelters susceptible (Tandel et al., 2019; Berenguer et
al., 2021; Paula et al., 2021).
Compared to the study carried out by Mosallanejad (2010),
which detected G. duodenalis in 2% of the feline population,
the present work identified a significant prevalence of the
protozoan (4,3%) in cat populations. e detection of G.
duodenalis cysts in the present study proves the maintenance
of the parasite transmission cycle in shelters located in urban
centers of municipalities in Sergipe, which are characterized
by the maintenance of cats in situations of vulnerability. It
is worth mentioning that animals confined in facilities with
precarious sanitary conditions are susceptible to reinfection
during self-grooming due to the presence of cysts in their
fur, in addition to the presence of feces contaminated by
cysts of the parasite (Anjos et al., 2013; Procesi et al., 2023;
Veyna-Salazar et al., 2023).
Worldwide, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. in
domestic canines and felines is considered to be around
10% (Barbosa et al., 2023). In the present study, it was
possible to observe an isolated prevalence above the global
reference value, being detected in 23,9% of the felines
from Sergipe, in addition to its association with other
gastrointestinal parasitic agents. is perspective serves
as a warning for the dissemination of cryptosporidiosis
among animals and human beings in the municipalities
of Sergipe, since the maintenance of the cycle between
domestic animals and responsible guardianship has
already been detected in previous studies, becoming a
risk of contamination for professionals who perform
activities in the shelters (Taghipour et al., 2021; Coelho
et al., 2023).
As in the present work, research previously carried out in
states of the Southeast and Midwest detected the presence
of parasites such as Ancylostoma sp. and Cystoisospora sp.
in fecal samples from felines, using flotation techniques
in sucrose and ZnSO4 (Gavioli et al., 2011; Ramos et al.,
2020; Silva et al., 2023). Furthermore, in the present work,
the presence of Toxocara sp. together with Ancylostoma sp.
and Cystoisospora sp. in association with Cryptosporidium
sp. was detected. e presence of these agents in an isolated
form and in association represents a risk to environmental,
human, and animal health (Berenguer et al., 2021). ese
have a worldwide distribution, contaminate mammals
through the ingestion of eggs, cysts, and oocysts present
in the soil and in food, triggering clinical manifestations
characterized by gastroenteritis in their hosts, as observed
in 28,3% of the felines studied (Paula et al., 2021; Bonilla-
Aldana et al., 2024).
e results of the study demonstrate the circulation of
protozoa with zoonotic potential and associated parasites
in cat populations. Such findings point to the need for
effective prevention and control measures, including regular
deworming protocols and improvements in the sanitary
management of felines in situations of vulnerability in the
state of Sergipe.
Author contributions: CRediT (Contributor Roles
Taxonomy)
FEPF = Fernanda Érica Pereira Fonseca
JVBS = João Victor Batista dos Santos
EAP = Éverton Almeida Pereira
ACG = Allan Costa Gomes
JVJ = João Victor de Jesus
MBON = Manuel Benicio Oliveira Neto
WSIS = Weslania Souza Inacio da Silva
JRSS = José Rodrigo Santos Silva
POMS = Patrícia Oliveira Meira Santos
VFSL = Victor Fernando Santana Lima
Conceptualization: FEPF, POMS, VFSL
Data curation: FEPF, JVBS, EAP, ACG, VFSL
Formal Analysis: FEPF, ACG, JVBS
Funding acquisition: VFSL
Investigation: FEPF, JVBS, EAP, ACG, MBON, WSIS
Methodology: FEPF, JVBS, ACG
Project administration: JRSS, POMS, VFSL
Resources: VFSL
Software: JVJ, JRSS
Supervision: JRSS, POMS, VFSL
Validation: JRSS, POMS, VFSL
Visualization: FEPF, JVBS, ACG, JRSS, POMS, VFSL
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Occurrence of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in domestic cats
Neotropical Helminthology, Vol. 20, Nº2, jul - dec 2026
Writing – original draft: FEPF, JVBS, ACG
Writing – review & editing: FEPF, JVBS, ACG, VFSL
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