Fecal Microbiota and Eukaryota Profiles in Stray and Pet Cats in Seoul, South Korea

Background: Zoonotic diseases pose a significant public health concern owing to their potential for transmission from animals to humans. As companions, cats interact closely with humans, which makes them potential sources of zoonotic pathogens. We aimed to investigate the presence of potential bacterial and eukaryotic pathogens in the feces of stray and pet cats in Seoul, South Korea, using next-generation sequencing techniques.Results: We revealed dominant phyla and prominent genera, consistent with previous studies, emphasizing their roles and differences in prevalence between pet and stray groups. We also identified Helicobacter spp. and Campylobacter spp. as the most prevalent potential bacterial pathogens, with a higher prevalence in stray cats. Other potential bacterial pathogens, including Escherichia-Shigella spp. and Brachyspira spp., were detected at higher proportions in stray cats. Alpha diversity analysis showed no significant changes, whereas beta diversity analysis indicated distinct microbial compositions between stray and pet cats. We revealed a higher abundance of Lactobacillus spp. in stray cats, possibly because of their diverse dietary habits. Analysis of eukaryotic organisms revealed Giardia spp. as the most prevalent potential pathogens, and Pentatrichomonas spp. were significantly more prevalent in stray cats.Conclusions: This study offers valuable insights into the zoonotic risks associated with cat populations residing in diverse environments. By identifying and characterizing potential pathogens in cat feces, this research provides essential information on the impact of habitat on cat-associated pathogens, highlighting the importance of public health planning and zoonotic risk management. These findings contribute to the understanding of the presence and potential risks of zoonotic pathogens in cats, and emphasize the need for stray cat control and further research to mitigate the health risks associated with cats living in different environments.