An overview of Toxocaracati infection in stray cats in the metropolitan region of Tehran, Iran, and a comparison of two diagnostic methods

Abstract

Toxocaracati is one of the most important and widespread of the helminth zoonosis. In the present study, helminthosis due to Toxocaracati in 55 stray cats in Tehran was studied by necropsy. In addition, two different diagnostic methods, including serological and coprological tests, for infection with this parasite were compared. The dot-ELISA assay used Toxocaracati crude antigens to evaluate the presence of serum antibodies against the mature nematode. The coprological sedimentation method was carried out to assess the output of eggs. In autopsied cats, 52.7% were infected with T. cati. Seropositive cases were detected in 53.8% of examined cats, whereas the prevalence in feces was 40%. The sensitivity and specificity for dot-ELISA method was 65.5% and 60.9% respectively. In sedimentation method the sensitivity was 69%, and the specificity was 92.3%. The positive and negative predictive values for dot-ELISA and sedimentation were 67.9%, 58.3% and 90.9%, 72.2% respectively. These results suggest that coprological methods for diagnostic and control programs of toxocariosis in cats are the optimal investigations.