Pavement parasites: a preliminary environmental survey of cat parasites in Klang Valley public housing areas.

Abstract

Due to their proximity and association, cats play a dual role in humans' lives, serving as common companion animals as well as strays. However, they also serve as a significant reservoir for various parasites, including gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. The global prevalence of GI parasites in cats is relatively high, raising concerns about their potential transmission to humans and the risk of causing diseases. Cat droppings are frequently found contaminating the environment and, admittedly, more often in low-income housing areas, posing additional risks to this marginalised group. Therefore, this study aimed to survey the preliminary environmental prevalence of GI parasites in the faecal samples of cats collected from urban poor neighbourhoods in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of one hundred cat faecal samples were collected from 10 low-cost housing neighbourhoods across Klang Valley, Malaysia. The samples were then screened using direct smear, concentration techniques, and Harada-Mori to determine the parasitic prevalence. The overall prevalence was 73.0% (n=73), with at least one parasite species infecting the cats. A total of six GI parasites were recovered, including Hookworm (n=63, 63.0%), Toxocara spp. (n=26, 26.0%), Cystoisospora spp. (n=7, 7.0%), Ascaris spp. (n=2, 2.0%), Balantidium coli (n=1, 1.0%), and Trichuris spp. (n=1, 1.0%). Understanding the prevalence of these parasites is crucial, particularly in marginalised communities where poor environmental hygiene and overcrowding are prevalent, to ensure that appropriate preventive and control measures are implemented due to the zoonotic potential of these infections.