Anti-Leishmania spp. antibody detection in domestic cats from a visceral leishmaniasis transmission area

Abstract

Feline leishmanial infection is reported worldwide, but the epidemiological role of domestic cats in the leishmaniasis cycle remains unclear, and cats might act as cryptic reservoir hosts in endemic areas with no feline leishmaniosis cases. Considering that, a serological screening for anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies was performed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in 389 necropsied cats’ serum samples from a new visceral leishmaniasis transmission area with no feline leishmanial infection reported to unveil if the cats are being exposed to the parasite. The overall seroprevalence for Leishmania spp. was 11,05% (43/389). Statistical significance was not found between sex, neutering status, age group, breed, coat length, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection, and Leishmania spp. antibody detection. A positive association was found with coat color (cats within the orange spectrum with white [particolor]) with p = 0.044 and OR = 2.47 (1–6.13) and a negative association, with p = 0.01 and OR = 0.38 (0.18–0.79), between feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection and IFAT positivity for Leishmania spp. Henceforth, parasite DNA detection by molecular studies is required to determine if it's exposition or infection.