Serologic and Urinary PCR Survey of Leptospirosis in Healthy Cats and in Cats with Kidney Disease. (13th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rodriguez, J.; Blais, M.‐C.; Lapointe, C.; Arsenault, J.; Carioto, L.; Harel, J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary internal medicine. Volume 28:Number 2(2014:Mar./Apr.)
• Page Start: 284
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2014-01-13
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.0896
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12287
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-6640

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jvim12287-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jvim12287-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Although there is serologic evidence of exposure of cats to <italic>Leptospira</italic> spp., clinical disease is rarely reported in cats.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12287-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To compare the seropositivity and urinary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) status for <italic>Leptospira</italic> spp. between healthy (H) cats and cats with kidney disease (KD), to investigate the serovars potentially involved, and to evaluate potential risk factors.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12287-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Animals</title> <p>Two hundred and forty client‐owned cats.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12287-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Cats were prospectively recruited and classified based on physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis (125 H and 115 KD cats). <italic>Leptospira</italic> spp. serology (titers ≥1 : 100 considered positive) and urinary PCR were performed in all cats. Data assessing risk factors, obtained from a questionnaire, were evaluated using logistic regression models.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12287-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Seropositivity for <italic>Leptospira</italic> spp. was statistically different between groups: 7.2% (9/125) and 14.9% (17/114) in the H and KD, respectively (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>.05). The proportion of PCR‐positive cats was not. The most common serovars detected serologically were Pomona (n = 16) and Bratislava (n = 8). Risk factors for seropositivity included outdoor and hunting lifestyles (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>.03 and <italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>.001, respectively), the presence of another cat in the household (<italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>.01), and the sampling period, with the greatest number of cases identified between June and August (P =.02).</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12287-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Seropositivity was significantly greater in KD cats, suggesting that the role of <italic>Leptospira</italic> spp. in KD in cats should be further investigated. The detection of urinary shedding of leptospires in several cats identifies a potential role in the transmission of the organism.</p> </sec> </abstract>