Intestinal Protozoa in Domestic Cats (Carnivora: Felidae, Felis catus) in Northwestern Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study with Prevalent of Microsporidian and Coccidian Parasites

BACKGROUND: In this study, some microsporidial and coccidian parasites were isolated from 103 domestic cats in the Meshkin Shahr area, northwestern Iran during the Jun 2014 to Jun 2015, and their genera were identified using parasitological methods with emphasis on their zoonotic importance. METHODS: One hundred and three fecal samples of domestic cats were collected and preserved in formalin (10%) and conserved in phosphate buffer saline solution, finally examined by microscopy after formalin-ether concentration and specific staining. Preservation in dichromate potassium (2.5%) was performed for all coccidian positive samples and then sporulated coccidian oocysts were investigated. RESULTS: The detected parasites were Isospora spp. 6/103(5.8%). Microsporidian spores were identified in 46/103 (44.6%) of all samples post-stained by the aniline blue staining method. CONCLUSION: Microsporidial infections were more prevalent in domestic cats. Further studies are needed in the identification of microsporidial spores isolated from infected cats.