Feline Stool Parasite Screen

18S Amplicon Sequencing for Feline Parasite Detection

The PathOID.ai Feline Stool Parasite Screen uses 18S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing to identify eukaryotic parasites and fungi present in your cat's gastrointestinal tract. Sequencing reads are classified against a curated reference database of nearly 500,000 18S rRNA sequences spanning 33 eukaryotic phyla, developed specifically for eukaryotic pathogen detection.

Why this matters for cat owners: Cats are the definitive host for Toxoplasma gondii, the only animal in which the parasite completes its full sexual reproductive cycle. Oocysts shed in feline feces are environmentally robust and represent a primary transmission route to humans. Emerging research has detected T. gondii at significantly elevated abundance in glioblastoma tumor tissue compared to normal brain tissue, a pattern consistent with reactivation of latent CNS infection within an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Beyond Toxoplasma, cats commonly harbor a range of parasites that conventional fecal float testing frequently misses at low burden. 18S sequencing detects organism DNA directly with no eggs or larvae required.

Organisms targeted include: Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia species, Cryptosporidium species, Blastocystis subtypes, hookworm (Ancylostomatidae), Toxocara cati, Tritrichomonas foetus, tapeworms (Platyhelminthes), pathogenic fungi including Aspergillus and Candida species, and hundreds of additional eukaryotic organisms across 33 phyla.

Accepted Sample Type: Cat stool (home collection kit included)

⚠️ This is not a diagnostic or veterinary test. The PathOID.ai Feline Stool Parasite Screen is an educational and research tool only. Results do not constitute a veterinary diagnosis and should not replace routine veterinary care. If you have concerns about your cat's health or your own potential parasite exposure, consult a licensed veterinarian or physician.