Prevalence of Leishmania infantum and co-infections in stray cats in northern Italy. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spada, Eva; Canzi, Ilaria; Baggiani, Luciana; Perego, Roberta; Vitale, Fabrizio; Migliazzo, Antonella; Proverbio, Daniela
• Is Part Of: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. Volume 45(2016)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Feline -- Leishmania infantum -- FIV -- FeLV -- FCoV -- Chlamydophila felis -- Bartonella henselae -- Toxoplasma gondii -- Seroprevalence -- Real-time PCR; BCS body condition score -- ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay -- FCoV feline coronavirus -- FeLV feline leukemia virus -- FIV feline immunodeficiency virus -- IFAT indirect fluorescent antibody test -- rPCR real-time polymerase chain reaction -- TNR trap neuter release; Communicable diseases in animals -- Periodicals; Veterinary immunology -- Periodicals; Veterinary microbiology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- veterinary -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Maladies infectieuses -- Périodiques; Communicable diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.08969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2016.03.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-9571

Abstract

Highlights: A study of stray cats in Italy expands epidemiologic data regarding leishmaniosis. Leishmania infantum IFAT seroreactivity was found in 12.2% of cats at 1:80 titer. This seropositivity rate is comparable to that in areas endemic for leishmaniosis. Leishmania co-infection with FIV, FeLV, FCoV was 0.0%, 2.4%, 8.5%, respectively. Co-infection with T. gondii, B. henselae, C. felis was 3.7%, 2.4%, 3.7%, respectively. Abstract: Stray cats in the city of Milan, Italy, were tested for Leishmania infantum and other selected infections. Twenty-seven cats (30.0%) were seroreactive by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), with an antibody titer of 1:40 for 16 (17.7%) cats and 1:80 (cut-off for feline L. infantum infection) for 11 (12.2%) cats. One blood (1.1%) and one popliteal lymph node (1.1%) sample tested positive by real-time polymerase chain reaction; no oculoconjunctival swabs tested positive. Feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, and feline coronavirus (FCoV) seroprevalence determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was 6.1, 6.1, and 39.0%, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii, Bartonella henselae, and Chlamydophila felis prevalence determined by IFAT was 29.3, 17.1, and 17.1%, respectively. The frequency of seroreactivity to L. infantum was significantly higher in FCoV-seropositive cats (OR = 4.4, P = 0.04). L. infantum -infected stray cats in Milan have a high seropositivity rate, comparable to that of cats in areas endemic for leishmaniosis.