Intestinal parasites of cats purchased in Seoul

Fecal samples of cats purchased in Seoul were examined for helminth ova or protozoan oocysts from December 1987 to March 1988. Out of the 41 samples, 31 (75.6%) were positive and 60 (146.3%) were cumulative positive for parasites. The followings were identified in the samples: Eggs of Toxocara cati, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus sp., Pharyngostomum cordatum, Spirometra erinacei, Taenia taeniaeformis and oocysts of Isospora sp. From nine autopsied cats, larvae of Anisakis simplex, adults of C. sinensis, M. yokogawai, P. cordatum, S. erinacei and T. taeniaeformis were identified. This is the first report on the detection of Anisakis larvae from cats in Korea. The possible role of cats as a source of human infection with each parasite was discussed.