The Occurrence and Diversity of Intestinal Digenetic Trematodes in Stray Cats, Felis Catus, In Egypt

Stray cats act as good indicators of fish-borne trematodes in the environment. Large populations of stray cats, Felis catus, are widespread in Giza, Egypt. Therefore, a total of 47 stray cats from some urban districts in Giza, Egypt were necropsied during the period from December 2018 to April 2019 and their intestines were examined for the detection of digenetic trematodes. Six cats were parasitized with 7 species of trematodes with an overall prevalence of 12.77%. Recovered species were belonging to heterophyids (Heterophyes heterophyes, Pygidiopsis summa, Procerovum varium, Ascocotyle sp.), cyathocotylids (Prohemistomum vivax and Mesostephanus appendiculatus), and echinostomatid (Echinochasmus liliputanus) in prevalences of 6.38% (3/47), 2.13% (1/47), and 6.38% (3/47), respectively. Mixed infections with heterophyids were noticed in two infected cats. Meanwhile, a mixed infection with H. heterophyes and the echinostomatid was recorded in one cat. Moreover, all trematode-infected cats had concomitant infections with cestode and/or nematode parasites. Therefore, veterinarians and authorized agencies must consider great hygienic measures and sanitary control programs to avoid the potential risk and zoonotic importance of such parasites.