2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Fecal samples from a total of 60 cats estimated to be between 16 weeks and 3 years of age with acute diarrhea of at least 2 days duration that was recognized while housed in a shelter in North Central Colorado were evaluated. Feces were analyzed using microscopic examination for parasite eggs, cysts and oocysts after using Sheather's sugar centrifugation. For detection of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and Giardia spp. cysts, a commercial IFA was used (MERIFLUOR Ã’ Cryptosporidium/Giardia, Meridian Biosciences). DNA extraction was performed using methods previously described. PCR assays targeting the 18S rRNA and heat shock protein-70 genes for Cryptosporidium spp. and the glutamate dehydrogenase, b-giardin and triose phosphate isomerase genes for Giardia spp. were used to speciate positive samples and the extracted DNA was also evaluated in the optimized C. cayetanensis PCR assay.