ROLE OF DOMESTICATED CAT (FELIS CATUS) IN EPIZOOTOLOGY OF ALVEOLAR ECHINOCOCCOSIS

Abstract

Currently, the question of the role of the domesticated cat as the definitive host of the tapeworm E. multilocularis remains controversial. The purpose of the present studies was to experimentally identify the role of the domesticated cat in the spread of alveococcosis. Rats infected with metacestodes E. multilocularis were euthanized, hydatids were dissected, passed through a meat grinder, and a protoscolex suspension was obtained. Scoleces in the Mogileva-Kotelnikov chamber were counted, their viability was assessed, and 12 domesticated cats were infected with a dose of 20,000 scoleces per animal. The animals were euthanized weekly. The cats were examined by helminthological methods. After a week of the experiment, it was found that helminths got acclimatized in the cats. In the small intestine of the adult cats, 382 and 1500 (1.9 and 7.5%) scoleces of the alveolar cestode were found, and 980 and 2500 (4.9 and 12.5%) in the kittens. At the second week of the experiment, 210 and 800 (1.0 and 4.0%) immature cestodes were recorded in the adult cats, and 1600 and 550 (8.0 and 2.7%) immature cestodes were recorded in the kittens. In the third week of the experiment, cestodes were not found in the intestines of the animals. Minimal prevalence, and intensity of the alveococcosis lesion invasion in the domesticated cat (Felis catus) shows the questionable epizootic nature of alveolar echinococcosis.