Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41408311›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Intestinal parasite prevalences in dogs and cats: a decade of retrospective data from a reference veterinary laboratory in Madrid, Spain.

J P Barrera, A Montoya, V Marino, J Sarquis, R Checa, D Carmena, E Estévez-Sánchez, C Gómez-Velasco, P Moraleda, L Cano and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Molecular characterization and zoonotic potential ofFood and waterborne parasitology · 2026
    Article
  2. Zoonotic Relevance ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

J P BarreraPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7682-9083
A MontoyaPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. amontoya@ucm.es.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1911-8642
V MarinoPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2927-0525
J SarquisPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6967-6733
R ChecaPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2419-1254
D CarmenaParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4015-8553
E Estévez-SánchezPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-7505-9495
C Gómez-VelascoPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
P MoraledaPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-8421-566X
L CanoParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
I FuentesParasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
G MiróPetParasiteLab, Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. gmiro@ucm.es.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0981-2470

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSpain's recent abrupt rise in numbers of registered pet dogs and cats has intensified the need for proper animal health care, as 60% of infectious diseases are zoonotic. While pathogen detection has improved through advances in molecular techniques, pet owners often fail to adhere to veterinary guidelines, increasing infection risks. Among the diagnostic tools available, faecal analysis plays a key role in detecting zoonotic parasites such as Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and Toxocara spp. This study was designed to assess intestinal parasite prevalence in dogs and cats along with epidemiological trends.

methodsBetween 2013 and 2023, a total of 15,899 faecal samples from dogs and cats submitted to a reference laboratory of parasitology in Madrid (Spain) were analysed using Mini-FLOTAC

resultsOverall, 26% of dogs and 21.4% of cats tested positive for at least one parasite. Protozoan infections were more prevalent overall, particularly G. duodenalis in dogs (16.0%) and Cystoisospora spp. in cats (7.8%). In contrast, helminth infections such as T. cati (7.6%) were more frequent in cats than in dogs. Dogs were more commonly infected by protozoa than helminths, while cats showed a more balanced distribution between both groups. Co-infections occurred in 13.6% of positive samples, with G. duodenalis being frequently involved. Puppies and kittens were more susceptible to infection, likely owing to an immature immune system. In animals from shelters, infection rates were higher than in owned pets. Seasonal variations were clearly observed, such that G. duodenalis peaked in winter and helminths in autumn. Over time, the prevalence of G. duodenalis increased, while that of Cystoisospora spp. declined.

conclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of parasite control for purposes of both animal and public health, and emphasize a need for regular faecal testing, deworming and improving owner awareness of parasites. To minimize zoonotic risks and improve pet health management, we would recommend standardizing diagnostic procedures and designing suitable veterinary interventions.

Indexed as

Cat DiseasesDog DiseasesIntestinal Diseases, ParasiticAnimalsCatsDogsFecesFemaleMalePrevalenceRetrospective StudiesSpainCatCoprological analysisDiagnosisDogIntestinal parasite

Identifiers

PMID41408311
PMCPMC12831248

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.