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In a recent study of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats in Australia, Giardia was found to be the most prevalent parasite in dogs. The aim of the current study through the use of molecular tools was to determine the zoonotic significance of the Giardia and Cryptosporidium isolates recovered from dogs and cats during the Australian study. Of the isolates successfully amplified all but one of the Giardia from dogs was either Assemblage C and/or D, with one Assemblage A. Of the cat samples amplified all but one were Assemblage F, with one Assemblage D. We hypothesize that the lack of zoonotic Giardia Assemblages recovered is a result of their being a low prevalence of Giardia in the human population. The Cryptosporidium recovered from dogs and cats was determined to be C. canis and C. felis, respectively, a finding which supports growing evidence that Cryptosporidium in companion animals is of limited public health significance to healthy people.

The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in Australian pet dogs and cats was largely unknown prior to this study. Current recommendations for the prophylactic treatment of parasites in Australia are based on studies conducted 20-30 years ago. A total of 1400 canine and 1063 feline faecal samples were collected from veterinary clinics and refuges from across Australia. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs and cats was 23.9% (CI 21.7-26.1) and 18.4% (CI 16.1-20.7), respectively. Overall Giardia was the most prevalent parasite in dogs (9.3% CI 7.8-10.8) followed by hookworm (6.7% CI 5.4-8.0). Isospora felis was the most prevalent parasite in cats (5.6% CI 4.2-7.0), followed by Toxocara cati (3.2% CI 2.1-4.3). In conclusion the prevalence of intestinal helminths in Australian pet dogs and cats is low. Consequently, consideration should be given to the future use of anthelmintics and continued emphasis on pet owner education as means of preventing infection.

There is no current information regarding the prevalence of hookworm in Australian dogs and cats and based on the results of studies conducted over 20 years ago, where high prevalences of helminths were recorded, the prophylactic administration of broad spectrum anthelmintics has been advocated. During this study, faecal samples were collected from dogs (n=1391) and cats (n=1027) across Australia. Samples were examined by microscopy and information regarding the demographics of each animal, and the management practices they experienced were recorded. A highly sensitive and species-specific PCR-RFLP technique was utilized to differentiate the various hookworm species which can infect dogs and cats directly from eggs in faeces. The prevalence of hookworm in dogs and cats was found to be 6.9% and 1.4%, respectively. Ancylostoma ceylanicum was detected for the first time in Australia in 10.9% of the dogs found positive for hookworm. Significantly, A. ceylanicum is capable of causing a patent infection in humans. After adjusting for other factors with multiple logistic regression, dogs from refuges, dogs originating from a tropical climatic zone, dogs aged 1 year or less, and those dogs which had not received anthelmintics were significantly more likely to be parasitized. Only univariate analysis was conducted for the cats as there were too few samples positive for hookworm. Cats were more likely to be infected with hookworm if they were from refuges, originated from a tropical climatic zone, and had not received treatment with anthelmintics. The results of this study demonstrates the importance of having current information regarding the prevalence of parasites of dogs and cats and the risk factors associated with infection, as well as the need to reassess the veterinary and public health concerns regarding hookworm infection and its control, which are currently based on out-dated information.