Exposure of client-owned cats to zoonotic vector-borne pathogens: Clinic-pathological alterations and infection risk analysis

Morelli, Simone; Crisi, Paolo Emidio; Cesare, Angela Di; Santis, Francesca De; Barlaam, Alessandra; Santoprete, Giada; Parrinello, Chiara; Palermo, Simona; Mancini, Pasquale; Traversa, Donato

doi:10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101344

Cited by 37 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…in cats tested was concordant with previous studies, where no DNA was amplified from animals living in southern Italy [11,15,18], and with only one cat positive for A. phagocytophilum in the north of the country [46]. Conversely, antibody prevalence of up to 26.9% for A. phagocytophilum and 16.2% for E. canis was recorded in stray and/or outdoor cats from central and southern Italy [11,18,21]. A similar discrepancy in the molecular versus serological detection of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…However, these data are in contrast with the prevalence for Bartonella spp. molecularly (up to 38.1%) [18] and serologically (up to 48.7%) detected in outdoor or freeroaming cats with ectoparasite infestation [4,11,15,18,21]. A similar high seroprevalence was reported in Spain (50%) [35] and Greece (58.8%) [23].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…and Babesia spp. [18][19][20][21]. FeVBDs have been reported in cat populations in different countries of the Mediterranean basin (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…serological and/or molecular tests), the animals' lifestyle (i.e. indoor, outdoor) as well as the sample size tested [5,11,15,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. These methodological differences make it difficult to draw comparisons for FeVBDs prevalence and to achieve a complete picture for areas such as the Italian Peninsula.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A molecular survey of vector-borne pathogens and haemoplasmas in owned cats across Italy

et al. 2020

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Background: Feline vector-borne pathogens (FeVBPs) have been increasingly investigated for their impact on cat health and their zoonotic potential. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of FeVBPs and haemoplasmas in cats across Italy and to identify potential risk factors linked to their occurrence. Methods: Blood samples from 958 owned cats living in the North (n = 556), Centre (n = 173) and South (n = 229) of Italy were tested for Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and filarioids by conventional PCR (cPCR) and for haemoplasmas and Bartonella spp. by SYBR green real-time PCR. Cats included in the study represent a sub-sample from a larger number of animals enrolled in a previous study, which were selected based on the geographical origin. Data on cats' positivity for Leishmania infantum, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), available from the previous study, were included and examined. Potential risk factors for pathogen infection were assessed in relationship to categorical variables including sex, geographical origin, breed, neutering status and age of cats. Results: Out of the 958 cats, 194 (20.2%) were positive for at least one of the tested pathogens, 89 (16%) from the North, 32 (18.5%) from the Centre and 73 (31.9%) from the South of Italy. A high prevalence of FeVBPs was detected in male cats (n = 125, 27.8%), living in the southern part of the country (n = 73, 31.9%), younger than 18 months of age (n = 24, 22.4%) and not neutered (n = 39; 27.5%). In particular, 24 cats (2.5%) tested PCR-positive for Bartonella spp., of which 1.6% for B. henselae and 0.9% for B. clarridgeiae. A total of 111 cats scored PCR-positive for haemoplasmas (11.6%), specifically "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum" (n = 95, 9.9%), M. haemofelis (n = 14, 1.5%) and "Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis" (n = 2, 0.2%). Moreover, 39, 31 and 8 cats were positive for FeLV (4.1%), L. infantum (3.2%) and FIV (0.8%), respectively. Co-infections were registered for 19 (9.8%) cats. Conclusions: These results confirm the occurrence of haemoplasmas and FeVBPs throughout Italy. Preventive measures to protect both animal and human health should be carried out also for owned cats, even if no health status of animals has been assessed in this study.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…and Babesia spp. [18][19][20][21]. FeVBDs have been reported in cat populations in different countries of the Mediterranean basin (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A molecular survey of vector-borne pathogens and haemoplasmas in owned cats across Italy

et al. 2020

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“…The prevalence of Ehrlichia spp. in the Mediterranean as tested by indirect detection methods (IFAT) in cats ranged between 1% and 18% [31,32,34,36,39,[75][76][77][78][79]. There does not seem to be any data on the prevalence of antibody testing in cats in Germany to this date.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective Evaluation of Vector-borne Infections in Cats Living in Germany (2012-2020)

Schäfer

Kohn

Volkmann

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Blood-feeding arthropods can transmit parasitic, bacterial, or viral pathogens to domestic animals and wildlife. Vector-borne infections are gaining significance due to the increase of travel, import of domestic animals from abroad, and due to the changing climate in Europe. The main objective of this retrospective study was to assess the prevalence of some vector-borne infections in cats in which a ‘Feline Travel Profile’ had been conducted. Methods: This retrospective study included test results from cats for which a ‘Feline Travel Profile’ established by the laboratory LABOKLIN had been requested by veterinarians in Germany between April 2012 and March 2020. This above-mentioned diagnostic panel contains direct detection methods via PCR for Hepatozoon spp. and Dirofilaria spp. as well as indirect detection methods via IFAT for Ehrlichia spp. and Leishmania spp. The profile was expanded to include an IFAT for Rickettsia spp. from July 2015 onwards. The prevalence of the different vector-borne infectious agents was calculated. Results: A total of 624 cats were tested using the ‘Feline Travel Profile’. Serological samples for indirect detection methods were available for all 624 cats, EDTA-samples for direct detection methods for 618 cats. Positive test results were as follows: Ehrlichia spp. IFAT 73 out of 624 (12%), Leishmania spp. IFAT 22 out of 624 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. PCR 53 out of 618 (9%), Dirofilaria spp. PCR 1 out of 618 cats (0.2%) and, tested from July 2015 onwards, Rickettsia spp. IFAT 52 out of 467 cats (11%). At least one infection was present in 175 out of 624 cats. Three coinfections were detected before 2015; after including the Rickettsia spp. test results there were 19 cats with confections (in 14 out of these 19 cats Rickettsia spp. were involved).Conclusions: 175 out of 624 cats (28%) were tested positive for at least one vector-borne pathogen. Infections with multiple pathogens could be detected in 4% of the cats from 2012 to 2020. The data emphasizes the importance of considering the above-mentioned vector-borne infections as potential differential diagnoses in cats.

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Cats – Revered and Reviled – and Associated Zoonoses

Sing¹,

Berger²

2022

Zoonoses: Infections Affecting Humans and Animals

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Exposure of client-owned cats to zoonotic vector-borne pathogens: Clinic-pathological alterations and infection risk analysis

Cited by 37 publications

References 46 publications

A molecular survey of vector-borne pathogens and haemoplasmas in owned cats across Italy

A molecular survey of vector-borne pathogens and haemoplasmas in owned cats across Italy

Retrospective Evaluation of Vector-borne Infections in Cats Living in Germany (2012-2020)

Cats – Revered and Reviled – and Associated Zoonoses

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