Cats normally play a role of the definitive host in which the plerocercoid (sparganum), the second larval form of Spirometra spp., develops into an adult in the intestines. However, some cases of cats with visceral or subcutaneous sparganosis were sporadically reported worldwide. We herein documented the discovery of a sparganum in abdominal cavity of a domestic cat during a surgery of dystocia. The larva was molecularly identified as Spirometra mansoni, belonging to Type I, that was recently misidentified to be S. erinaceieuropaei in several Asian countries. This is the first report for sparganum of S. mansoni in the cat. The future study is necessary to provide further insights into the species of Spirometra causing sparganosis and spirometrosis in humans and other animals.

This study was conducted to detect Ascaris suum, Toxocara canis, and Toxocara cati in naturally infected chicken livers, and then to provide information related to ascarid infections in humans. Ninety-four chicken liver samples collected at a fresh market were used for this study. DNA was extracted from each minced liver sample (500 mg) by the alkaline lysis method using NaOH 50mM and Tris-HCl (pH 8.0). The nested multiplex PCR assay using ascarid universal primers was applied to amplify the ITS1 ribosomal RNA gene of A. suum, Toxocara canis, and Toxocara cati in all the liver samples. Then, species specific-primers were used to discriminate between A. suum and Toxocara spp. The results showed that 2 of the 94 chicken liver samples detected positive for the presence of A. suum DNA. This study provided useful information and evidence about A. suum infection in humans via exposure to contaminated soil or eating raw/undercooked chicken livers in Vietnam.

Background and Aim: Feline bocavirus (FBoV), a member of the Parvoviridae family, has been implicated in gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions in domestic cats. Despite increasing global recognition, the molecular epidemiology of FBoV in Vietnamese animal populations remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to detect and genetically characterize FBoV strains circulating among domestic cats in Northern Vietnam to better understand their genotypic diversity and potential clinical relevance. Materials and Methods: A total of 166 fecal samples were collected from domestic cats of varying age, sex, and clinical status across four provinces in Northern Vietnam between 2022 and 2023. DNA was extracted and screened for FBoV using conventional polymerase chain reaction targeting the non-structural (NS)-1 gene. Positive samples were subjected to Sanger sequencing, and partial NS1 sequences were analyzed using MEGA X for phylogenetic inference. Recombination analysis was performed using RDP 4.0, and statistical significance was assessed using Fisher’s exact test. Results: FBoV DNA was detected in 4 of 166 samples (2.41%), including one from a diarrheic cat and three from healthy cats. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial NS1 gene revealed that three strains belonged to genotype I and one to genotype II, all showing close genetic similarity to Chinese strains. Nucleotide identities among Vietnamese strains ranged from 64.68% to 99.57%. No recombination events were observed among the detected strains. FBoV was detected across age groups and both sexes, without significant associations. Co-infections with other enteric viruses (feline coronavirus, feline panleukopenia virus, feline astrovirus, and feline kobuvirus) were not observed in the FBoV-positive samples. Conclusion: This study provides the first molecular evidence of co-circulating FBoV genotypes I and II in domestic cats in Vietnam, indicating viral genetic diversity and suggesting possible regional transmission routes linked to neighboring countries. While FBoV was present in both symptomatic and asymptomatic cats, its clinical significance remains inconclusive. The findings underscore the need for expanded surveillance, complete genome analyses, and investigation into FBoV’s pathogenic potential and co-infection dynamics in the feline population. These data will be instrumental in shaping future diagnostic and control strategies for feline viral enteritis in Vietnam. Keywords: domestic cats, feline bocavirus, genotype, molecular epidemiology, NS1 gene, Vietnam.

Toxocara canis and T. cati are common roundworms parasitizing dogs and cats, respectively. However, a recent study detected T. malaysiensis, but not T. cati, in cats from some parts of Ha Noi and Nam Dinh Provinces raising the question of whether T. cati is present in cats in Vietnam. This study was conducted to determine the composition of Toxocara species in dogs and cats in Vietnam. One hundred and twenty-seven Toxocara adult worms were collected from dogs and cats and were analyzed by PCR-RFLP assay and DNA sequencing of a partial section of the cox1 gene. As a result, all samples amplified by PCR showed bands about 430 bp in length. PCR products digested by MseI from isolates from cats and dogs showed four and two restriction patterns, respectively. The six different patterns were chosen to sequence. Based on the restriction patterns and sequencing results, two Toxocara species were identified in the cats, namely T. cati (110/111 isolates) and T. malaysiensis (1/111 isolates) collected from Ha Noi and Hai Duong, respectively; and T. canis was identified in the dogs (16/16 isolates). In addition, the present study indicated intra-specific sequence variations of Toxocara spp. in dogs and cats. In conclusion, the study confirmed the presence of both T. cati and T. malaysiensis in cats, and T. canis in dogs in Vietnam, and suggests further large-scale investigations to fully understand the distribution and genetic variations of Toxocara spp. in cats and dogs in Vietnam.

The Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) plays a crucial role in the rescue, care, and release of wild animals. The health of these animals was meticulously evaluated during their care and before their reintroduction into their natural habitat. An annual surveillance study of parasitic infections in wildlife at the Hanoi WRC was conducted to establish a scientific basis for developing preventive measures to manage the health of these animals. A total of 46 fresh fecal samples were opportunistically collected immediately following defecation using a shovel. These samples were obtained from 25 tigers (age: 10.8±3.6 years) and 21 bears (age: 11.2±4.6 years) captured at the Hanoi WRC in November 2024. Fecal samples were examined using sedimentation and centrifugal flotation methods to identify the presence of parasites. Subsequently, parasite eggs were collected using a micropipette for DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing techniques were used to determine the parasite species. It was found that 20.0% of tigers (5 out of 25) and 23.8% of bears (5 out of 21) were infected with parasitic worms. The identification of these infections was achieved through the examination of the morphological characteristics of the eggs. This analysis identified the presence of trematode eggs, nematode eggs, including Strongyle type, and Toxascaris leonina. Molecular analysis further identified Strongyle eggs as belonging to Ancylostoma ceylanicum, which accounted for 12.0% of infections in tigers and 23.8% in bears. Additionally, Toxascaris leonina was detected exclusively in tigers, representing 12.0% of infections. Trematode eggs were found solely in tiger feces; however, molecular amplification was unsuccessful due to the insufficient number of eggs detected. The discovery of two zoonotic nematodes, A. ceylanicum and To. leonina in tigers and bears at the Hanoi (WRC) underscores the potential risk of nematode transmission from wildlife to humans and domestic animals in this area and its surrounding areas. The findings of this study will aid in the development of a prevention program aimed at controling gastrointestinal helminths in wild animals within the study region.