Accuracy of parasitological techniques and positivity for endoparasites in stray and household cats in Jataí, Goiás, Brazil

Abstract The objective of this study was to describe the positivity of intestinal parasitosis in cats from the city of Jataí, Goiás, as well as to determine the accuracy of different parasitological techniques applied. 120 samples were collected, 64 from household cats and 56 from stray. The parasitological techniques of Willis, Sheather, Faust, Hoffman-Pons-Janer-Lutz and Rugai staining were then performed. The positivity rate of endoparasites in the analyzed samples was 19.2%, with a predominance of hookworm eggs. Cystoisospora spp. and Hammondia hammondi oocysts were also found, with a case of co-infection with the two species. No statistical difference in positivity was found between household and stray cats. However, a significant difference was found upon evaluating sex and neutering status, revealing that male cats and non-neutered animals showed higher positivity rates, with 28.8% of non-neutered animals testing positive compared to 9.83% of neutered animals. The Willis technique was considered the gold standard for hookworm diagnosis, with a sensitivity of 91.3%. While the Willis technique was identified as the gold standard for detecting hookworm eggs, the evaluation of other methodologies demonstrated that the integration of techniques can improve the detection of various parasitic stages.