Serologic and urinary survey of exposure to <i>Leptospira</i> species in a feral cat population of Prince Edward Island, Canada

Bourassi, Emilia; Savidge, Christine; Foley, Peter; Hartwig, Sunny

doi:10.1177/1098612x211001042

Cited by 14 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Serological method by MAT was used in order to determine the infectious status of the 144 stray cats. Looking at studies carried out in other countries published over the last five years, the seroprevalence observed in cats varies between 0% and 42% (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). Our study records a low seroprevalence of 5.6% in stray cats (95%CI=1.814-9.297).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Serological study of leptospirosis in cats from Algeria

Zaidi¹,

Korba²,

Bessas³

et al. 2022

Af J Clin Exp Micro

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Background: By the nature of their environment and behavior, stray cats are at risk of exposure to leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. The prevalence of leptospirosis in the feline species in Algeria is unknown. The main objectives of this study are to determine the seroprevalence and identify the most common Leptospira serovars in stray cats in the Algiers region.Methodology: Serum samples from 144 randomly selected healthy stray cats from 57 municipalities of the Algiers region were analyzed by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The MAT was performed to determine the antibody titers against nine Leptospira serovars (Canicola, Copenhageni, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Autumnalis, Grippotyphosa, Bratislava, Pomona, Pyrogenes, Patoc). The age of each cat was estimated based on dentition and physical appearance, and information on cat sex, breed and clinical status were collected. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0Results: Leptospira antibodies were detected in 8 of 144 healthy stray cats, giving a seroprevalence rate of 5.6% [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.814-9.297]. The antibody titers ranged from 1:100 to 1:3200. Serovars Pyrogenes (1:100) and Patoc (1:100) were the most prevalent serovars detected in 2.8% (4/144) of the cats, followed by serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae (1:100) and Bratislava (1:100) detected in 2.1% (3/144) of the cats. The seroprevalence of 7.8% (7/90) in the male cats was higher than 1.9% (1/54) in the female cats but this did not reach a significant difference (OR=4.47, 95% CI=0.5344-37.387, p=0.2586). All the positive cats were over one year of age.Conclusion: This study showed that stray cats in Algiers are exposed to leptospirosis. In addition, the serovars detected are very common serovars in dogs and humans. The control of leptospirosis is largely dependent on general hygiene measures and the control of animal reservoirs. Additional investigations are necessary to clarify the epidemiology of the disease in the different regions of Algeria. Contexte: De par la nature de leur environnement et de leur comportement, les chats errants sont à un risque d'exposition à la leptospirose. La leptospirose est une maladie zoonotique émergente de distribution mondiale. La prévalence de la leptospirose chez l’espèce féline en Algérie est inconnue. Les principaux objectifs de cette étude sont de déterminer la séroprévalence et d'identifier les sérovars de Leptospira les plus fréquents chez leschats errants de la région d'Alger.Méthodologie: Des échantillons de sérum de 144 chats errants sanitaires sélectionnés au hasard dans 57 communes de la région d'Alger ont été analysés par le test d'agglutination microscopique (MAT). Le MAT a été réalisé pour déterminer les titres d'anticorps contre neuf sérotypes de Leptospira (Canicola, Copenhageni, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Autumnalis, Grippotyphosa, Bratislava, Pomona, Pyrogenes, Patoc). L'âge de chaque chat a été estimé sur la base de la dentition et de l'apparence physique, et des informations sur le sexe, la race et l'état clinique du chat ont été collectées. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide du package statistique pour les sciences sociales (SPSS) version 17.0Résultats: Des anticorps contre Leptospira ont été détectés chez 8 des 144 chats errants sanitaires, donnant un taux de séroprévalence de 5,6% [intervalle de confiance (IC) à 95%=1,814-9,297]. Les titres d'anticorps variaient de 1:100 à 1:3200. Les sérovars Pyrogenes (1:100) et Patoc (1:100) étaient les sérovars les plus prévalents détectés chez 2,8 % (4/144) des chats, suivis des sérovars Icterohaemorrhagiae (1:100) et Bratislava (1:100) détectés chez 2,1% (3/144) des chats. La séroprévalence de 7,8 % (7/90) chez les chats mâles était supérieure à 1,9 % (1/54) chez les chattes, mais cela n'a pas atteint une différence significative (OR=4,47, IC 95%=0,5344-37,387, p=0,2586). Tous les chats positifs avaient plus d'un an.Conclusion: Cette étude a montré que les chats errants d'Alger sont exposés à la leptospirose. De plus, les sérovars détectés sont des sérovars très répandus chez le chien ou chez l'homme. Le contrôle de la leptospirose est largement tributaire des mesures d'hygiène générales et de la lutte contre les réservoirs animaux. Des investigations complémentaires sont nécessaires pour préciser l'épidémiologie de la maladie dans les différentesrégions de l'Algérie.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Serological study of leptospirosis in cats from Algeria

Zaidi¹,

Korba²,

Bessas³

et al. 2022

Af J Clin Exp Micro

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“…Therefore, a dilution of 1:20 was considered appropriate, as reported previously [ 8 , 33 ]. Moreover, there is no consensus on the most appropriate cut-off value in cats, and cats seem to respond to infection with low antibody titers [ 8 , 22 , 26 , 29 , 34 , 35 ]. The reason for low titers in cats tested in this study could be due to serovars not tested and/or cross-reaction with some others that we tested.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Instead, a few more studies have investigated Leptospira spp. DNA shedding in urine [ 7 , 8 , 14 , 19 , 26 , 27 , 30 , 33 , 65 ] reporting a prevalence ranging from 0% to 67.8% [ 1 ], with the possibility of long-lasting leptospiral DNA shedding (eight months) after the first presentation [ 27 ]. According to the European consensus statement on leptospirosis [ 2 ], the MAT is the most widely used diagnostic test for acute leptospirosis in dogs; however, it does not provide any information about whether an animal is a carrier.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…exposure in cats. These were old age [ 14 , 26 , 29 ], being an older cat > 1 [ 30 ] or ≥4 years old [ 8 ], being a cat considered a hunter by the owner, the presence of another cat in the household [ 19 , 30 ], living close to dairy cattle herds [ 9 ], being a shelter cat, and having access to the outdoors [ 31 , 65 ] were associated with higher Leptospira spp. positivity rates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, Leptospira interrogans sensu latu includes more than 260 pathogenic serovars belonging to 26 serogroups [ 1 ], and according to the European consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs and cats, serogroups Icterohaemorragiae, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Pomona, Sejroe, Ballum, Autumnalis and Bratislava are the most frequently identified in cats [ 2 ]. Leptospirosis is reported worldwide, and cases of feline leptospirosis have been described in Africa (Algeria and Reunion Island) [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], Asia (Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand) [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ], America (Brazil, Chile, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts and the USA) [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], Europe (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Serbia and Spain) [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], the United Kingdom (Scotland) [ 34 ], and Oceania (New Zealand and Australia) [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. In Italy, Stefanetti and others [ 38 ] retrospectively investigated the role of Leptospira spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Leptospira spp. Prevalence in Cats from Southern Italy with Evaluation of Risk Factors for Exposure and Clinical Findings in Infected Cats

Donato

Masucci

Hartmann³

et al. 2022

Pathogens

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Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease, but feline leptospirosis is rarely reported. This study aimed at investigating Leptospira spp. prevalence in cats from southern Italy, evaluating risk factors, clinical findings and laboratory data associated with infection. The serum of 112 cats was investigated by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), detecting anti-Leptospira antibodies against 14 pathogenic serovars. Blood and urine samples were tested by a real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting the lipL32 gene of pathogenic Leptospira. Antibodies against serovars Poi, Bratislava, Arborea, Ballum, Pomona and Lora were detected in 15.3% (17/111) of cats (titers range: 20–320). Leptospira spp. DNA was found in 3% (4/109) of blood and 9% (10/111) of urine samples. The spring season was the only risk factor for urinary Leptospira DNA shedding. Laboratory abnormalities significantly associated and/or correlated with Leptospira spp. positivity were anemia, monocytosis, neutrophilia, eosinopenia, increased alanine aminotransferase activity, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia. In the investigated areas, cats are frequently infected by Leptospira spp. and can represent an additional reservoir or sentinel for a risk of infection. Moreover, some laboratory changes could be compatible with a pathogenic effect of Leptospira spp. in the feline host.

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Molecular Assays Used for the Diagnosis of Feline Infectious Diseases

Lappin,

Veir

2025

The Cat

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Serologic and urinary survey of exposure to Leptospira species in a feral cat population of Prince Edward Island, Canada

Cited by 14 publications

References 39 publications

Serological study of leptospirosis in cats from Algeria

Serological study of leptospirosis in cats from Algeria

Leptospira spp. Prevalence in Cats from Southern Italy with Evaluation of Risk Factors for Exposure and Clinical Findings in Infected Cats

Molecular Assays Used for the Diagnosis of Feline Infectious Diseases

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