Prevalence of zoonotic intestinal protozoa infections of cats in Central Asia and border regions

Abstract

Totally 97 sources from digitalized databases were analyzed with aim to assess the epidemiological significance and the introducing risk of feline intestinal zoonotic protozoa infections into Kazakhstan from neighboring countries. It was concluded that pet and stray cats in China, Russia, Central Asian countries and Kazakhstan serve as reservoirs for Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia duodenalis. They pose a significant threat to both humans and animals but are often overlooked due to a lack of awareness at the regional level. The diseases caused by them can be classified as neglected feline and human parasitic infections in Kazakhstan. To implement the One Health Concept, it is necessary to consolidate research and coordinate the work of public health, veterinary, and ecological services at an intergovernmental level for the study the molecular epidemiology and systematic monitoring the catborne zoonotic protozoa among definitive and intermediate hosts’ populations and environment.