First report of pathogenic Leptospira spp. isolated from urine and kidneys of naturally infected cats

Abstract

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and can infect both humans and animals worldwide. Healthy cat, as a potential source of exposure to humans, are likely underestimated owing to the lack of overt clinical signs associated with Leptospira spp. infection in this species. The aim of the study was to determine the exposure, shedding, and carrier status of leptospires in shelter cats in Malaysia by using serological, molecular, and bacteriological methods. For this study, 82 healthy cats from two shelters were sampled. The blood, urine, and kidneys were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and bacterial culture. On the basis of serological, molecular, and/or culture techniques, the total detection of leptospiral infection was 29.3% (n = 24/ 82). Through culture techniques, 16.7% (n = 4/24) of the cats that tested positive were carriers with positive kidney cultures, and one cat was culture positive for both urine and kidney. The Leptospira spp. isolates were identified as pathogenic L. interrogans serovar Bataviae through serological and molecular methods. Through serological techniques, 87.5% (n = 21/24) had positive antibody titers (100-1600) and most of the Bataviae serogroup (n = 19/ 21). Using PCR, 16.7% (n = 4/24) of cats were shown to have pathogenic Leptospira spp. DNA in their urine. Furthermore, three out of four culture positive cats were serology negative. The present study reports the first retrieval of pathogenic leptospires from urine and kidneys obtained from naturally infected cats. The results provide evidence of the potential role of naturally infected cats in the transmission of leptospires. Additionally, leptospiral infection occurs sub-clinically in cats. The culture isolation provides evidence that healthy cats could be reservoirs of leptospiral infection, and this information may promote the development of disease prevention strategies for the cat population.

Acute Phase Proteins and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Free-Roaming Cats Infected by Pathogenic Leptospires

“…Asymptomatic cats can shed the bacteria through urine [9,15], and unlike infected dogs, antibody titres against Leptospira spp. detected in sub-clinically infected animals are low in the species [6][7]19]. Cats infected by Leptospira spp.…”

“…A wide variety of mammalian species may be susceptible to Leptospira spp. infection including domestic cats [2] in America [3][4][5], Asia [6][7], Australia [8] and Europe [9][10].…”

Seroepidemiology of leptospirosis and molecular characterization of the first Leptospira strain isolated from Fernando de Noronha archipelago, Brazil

“…Overall, seroreactivity is low, and Pomona has been frequently attributed to leptospiral infection in cats, however infection by serovars from Autumnalis and Ballum serogroups can also occur (Murillo et al, 2020). Under insular conditions, an even wider range of serovars can be found in cats, such as Bataviae in Malaysia (Alashraf et al, 2020), Semaranga in Thailand (Sprissler et al, 2019) and Cynopteri in Saint Kitts (Pratt et al, 2017). Cats have long been believed to control rodent populations, and low proportion of seroreactive cats in Fernando de Noronha requires further investigation, especially considering the high density of rodents found in the island.…”

Acute phase proteins and total antioxidant capacity in free-roaming cats infected by pathogenic leptospires

“…Asymptomatic cats can shed the bacteria through urine [9,15], and unlike infected dogs, antibody titres against Leptospira spp. detected in sub-clinically infected animals are low in the species [6][7]20]. Cats infected by Leptospira spp.…”

“…A wide variety of mammalian species may be susceptible to Leptospira spp. infection including domestic cats [2] in America [3][4][5], Asia [6][7], Australia [8] and Europe [9][10].…”