The prevalenceof cryptosporidiosiswas analyzed indomestic catsand in theirelderly owners (over 60 yearsof age) of bothsexes, residentsinthe cityofTeresópolis,andwho were attendedby avaccination against influenza in 2009and2010. The prevalence ofdiarrheainthe elderlywas29.4%and24.5% incats. It wasidentifiedthe presence ofone ormoreoocysts in fecal material in16.7% of elderly,and 12.7% incats. Theprevalenceofdiarrheashowedstrongassociation inelderly people (PR=4.37, 95% CI: 2.67 to 7.16), and lower strengthof association in cats(PR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.06 - 4.39). ByimmunofluorescenceconfirmedbyPCR there was similarstrength ofassociationinelderly people (PR=4.43, 95% CI: 3.04 to 6.45), buttherewasanincrease in thestrengthof associationforfelines(PR = 4.67, 95% CI: 3.9 to 6.81). Thefindings fromthisresearch are disturbing, but importanttopublic health, as they showthe relationshipofzoonoticCryptosporidiumspp. presentinfecal samplesofcompanion animalsfromthe population elderly studied.
Cryptosporidium; Prevalence; Pets; Health of the elderly; Companion animals; Teresópolis-RJ
