Surveillance using serological and molecular methods for the detection of infectious agents in captive Brazilian neotropic and exotic felids

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate the exposure of captive wild felids to various infectious pathogens using serological and molecular methods. One hundred and fifty-nine neotropic felids and 51 exotic felids from 28 captive settings in Brazil were tested. While antibodies against Feline parvovirus and Feline coronavirus (FCoV), Feline calicivirus and Bartonella spp. were frequently detected by serologic tests, antibodies against Felid herpesvirus 1 or infection with hemotropic mycoplasmas were less prevalent. Serologic evidence of exposure to Ehrlichia spp., Feline immunodeficiency virus, and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was detected rarely, and infections with FeLV, Ehrlichia spp., and Cytauxzoon spp. were found infrequently. The detected Bartonella sequence was molecularly similar to B. koehlerae and B. henselae; for Cytauxzoon, the sequence resembled those from domestic cats. No Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria spp. infections were detected. The positive test results varied significantly among different facilities and species. Additionally, FCoV seropositivity was more prevalent in captivity than in free-ranging populations. Results suggest that testing is appropriate prior to relocation of felids.

Cytauxzoon felis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' coinfection in a Brazilian domestic cat (Felis catus)

“…infections have been confirmed by molecular techniques in wild/exotic felids (PEIXOTO et al, 2007;ANDRÉ et al, 2009;FILONI et al, 2012), but few studies regarding natural cytauxzoonosis in domestic cats were solely based on the identification of parasites on blood smears (MENDES-DE-ALMEIDA et al, 2007).…”

Molecular detection of feline arthropod-borne pathogens in cats in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, central-western region of Brazil

“…Although piroplasms similar to Cytauxzoon sp. have been found in cat blood smears in the state of Rio de Janeiro (MENDES-DE-ALMEIDA et al, 2007), molecular confirmation of occurrences of this parasite in Brazil has only been done in wild felids ( ANDRÉ et al, 2009;FILONI et al, 2012). On the other hand, Hepatozoon sp.…”

Detection of Chlamydophila felis and Feline Herpesvirus Type-1 in non-domestic felids in Brazil

“…In Brazil, C. felis was antigen and DNA were detected in two other ocelots in the same study (FILONI et al, 2011). Reports of FeLV infection in non-domestic felids are rare and predominantly found in captive animals (BRIGGS; OTT, 1986;CITINO, 1986).…”

“…When reactivation takes place, susceptible animals may be infected by contact with agents excreted in nasal and ocular secretions (STILES, 2000). Although seropositivity to this agent has been reported among captive and free-ranging wild felids in Brazil, Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, active virus detection has been infrequently observed in these animals (ARTOIS; REMOND, 1994;DANIELS et al, 1999;LEUTENEGGER et al, 1999;MURRAY et al, 1999, OSTROWSKI et al, 2003BATISTA et al, 2005;FILONI et al, 2006;FILONI et al, 2011).…”

“…Retroviral infections have been detected among free-ranging and captive nondomestic felids in Brazil by molecular and serological techniques (FILONI et al, 2003;BATISTA et al, 2005;FILONI et al, 2006;GUIMARÃES et al, 2009;FILONI et al, 2011).…”