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The present study is the first national investigation of intestinal parasites in private-household cats in Japan. A total of 942 faecal samples were collected from private-household cats. Giardia species was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit and other intestinal parasites were identified microscopically. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 10.1%; two protozoan parasites (Giardia species and Cystoisospora species) and five helminths (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Taenia species and Spirometra erinacei) were detected. The total prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was significantly higher in cats aged ≤6 months old than in cats older than 6 months because of a significantly higher prevalence of Cystoisospora species and T cati. The total infection prevalence was higher among outdoor cats as a result of the significantly higher prevalence of T cati and S erinacei. Sex and faecal condition were not related to intestinal parasite infections. Regional differences were observed in Cystoisospora species and A tubaeforme. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Toxocariasis has long been considered a parasitic disease affecting pet owners and children who often play in sandboxes at public parks. Recent cases of this animal-borne infection, however, indicate that its clinical manifestations and etiologies are changing. In this article, we will describe the critical characteristic features of toxocariasis alongside the contributions of Japanese researchers to a better understanding of the disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A 42-y-old female presented with common cold-like symptoms. Laboratory data showed mild liver dysfunction together with peripheral blood eosinophilia. She was suspected of having a helminthic infection, however parasite eggs or larvae were not detected by repeated stool examinations. Eventually she transpired to have a high IgG antibody titer against excretory-secretary (ES) antigen of Ascaris suum larvae, but not of Toxocara canis larvae, suggesting that she had been suffering from visceral larva migrans (VLM) caused by A. suum. Her sickness improved without any treatment. Current results clearly highlight the usefulness of ES antigens derived from larvae of A. suum for the fine discrimination of VLM caused by A. suum and by T. canis. Application of A. suum derived ES antigens as a diagnostic tool may reveal the distinctive clinical features of VLM caused by A. suum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To characterize the clinical features of ocular toxocariasis and to describe the unique aspects of the disease in Japan.Methods: Thirty-six cases diagnosed as ocular toxocariasis at the uveitis clinic of Tokyo Medical University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively.Results: Thirty-six cases comprised 34 adults (average age: 39 +/- 10 years) and two nine-year-old boys. All cases were classified into two clinical types: posterior pole type (13 cases) and peripheral type (23 cases). Visual acuity was maintained over 20/20 in 50% and less than 20/200 in 14% of the cases. The peripheral type had worse outcomes than the posterior pole type in all of the endpoints examined: final visual outcome, frequency of ocular complications, and effectiveness of vitreous surgery. Antibody titers in intraocular fluids led to a diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis in eight seronegative cases of 33 cases examined for antibodies in both serum and intraocular fluid samples.Conclusions: The peripheral type had a worse prognosis than the posterior pole type. However, in general, ocular toxocariasis resulted in fair visual outcomes. The antibody titer in intraocular fluid was helpful in the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]