Determination of Cryptosporidium spp. in Van cats by nested PCR

The present study was conducted to investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. agents in cats from the Turkish Van Cat Shelter at YüzüncüYıl University by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method and nested PCR. Individual stool samples were obtained from 30 adult females, 30 adult males and 40 kittens – a total of 100 Van cats were analyzed in the study. A simplified formol-ether concentration method was applied to all samples. The samples were then examined microscopically by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. As a result of the staining, Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were identified in stool samples of 3 kittens in the microscopic examination. After that, PCR and nested-PCR were conducted with suitable primers. Nested PCR identified 5 kittens (5%) as positive. As a result, it was concluded that nested PCR was a superior diagnostic method for Cryptosporidium diagnosis compared with staining methods and that infected cats could be a health hazard for other cats and individuals, since Cryptosporidium spp. agents infect via the faecal-oral route. Therefore, we believe it is necessary to raise the awareness of people in contact with cats.