Journal Article

Clinical evaluation of outdoor cats exposed to ectoparasites and associated risk for vector-borne infections in southern Italy

Vullo, Angela, Pennisi, Maria Grazia, Masucci, Marisa, Migliazzo, Antonella, Solano-Gallego, Laia, Persichetti, Maria Flaminia

2018

Overview

Background Cats can be carriers of infected arthropods and be infected with several vector-borne pathogens (VBP) but there is limited knowledge about their pathogenic role in cats. Results A cross-sectional controlled study investigated the clinical status and antibody ( Bartonella henselae , Rickettsia conorii , Ehrlichia canis , Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Babesia microti and Leishmania infantum ) and/or blood PCR ( Mycoplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp., piroplasmids, L. infantum , Hepatozoon felis ) prevalence in 197 cats. Outdoor cats lacking ectoparasiticide treatment or hosting ectoparasites (study group [SG], n = 134) and indoor cats treated against ectoparasites (control group [CG], n = 63) were enrolled. Clinical data and retroviral co-infections were compared between the two groups. Multivariable analysis tested associations between variables and VBP exposure. Lymphadenia, stomatitis, and various haematological abnormalities were statistically more frequent in SG. Antibodies against R. conorii , B. henselae , A. phagocytophylum , B. microti , E. canis and L. infantum were detected. Bartonella henselae , Bartonella clarridgeiae , Mycoplasma haemofelis , “ Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” and “ Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis” DNA were identified. Very high antibody (87.8%) and PCR (40.1%) positivity to at least one pathogen were detected and were significantly higher in SG. Co-infections were confirmed in about one-third of the cats and were more frequent in SG cats. Molecular and overall (antibody and PCR) positivity to Bartonella and antibody positivity to R. conorii were higher in SG. Multivariable analysis found significant associations of Bartonella spp. infection with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) infection and increased globulins, and of Mycoplasma spp. infection with adult age, FIV infection, anaemia, and increased creatinine. Conclusions A very high prevalence of exposure to zoonotic VBP was found in cats, with Rickettsia and Bartonella infections being most prevalent. Some risk factors were documented namely for Mycoplasma spp. and Bartonella spp. The lifestyle of cats is clinically relevant and requires specific preventative measures to protect their health.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,BMC
• Subject: 13th Symposium on Companion Vector-borne Diseases (CVBD) / adults / Anaplasma - immunology / Anaplasma - isolation & purification / Anaplasma phagocytophilum / anemia / Animals / antibodies / Antibodies, Bacterial - blood / Babesia microti / Bartonella - immunology / Bartonella - isolation & purification / Bartonella clarridgeiae / Bartonella henselae / Bartonella Infections - epidemiology / Bartonella Infections - veterinary / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / blood / Cat / Cat Diseases - epidemiology / Cat Diseases - parasitology / Cats / clinical examination / creatinine / Cross-Sectional Studies / Disease Vectors / DNA / Ectoparasite / ectoparasites / Ectoparasitic Infestations - epidemiology / Ectoparasitic Infestations - parasitology / Ectoparasitic Infestations - veterinary / ectoparasiticides / Ehrlichia - immunology / Ehrlichia - isolation & purification / Ehrlichia canis / Ehrlichia canis - immunology / Ehrlichia canis - isolation & purification / Entomology / Feline immunodeficiency virus / Female / Health aspects / Hepatozoon felis / Infectious Diseases / Italy / Italy - epidemiology / Leishmania infantum / lifestyle / Male / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Medicine, Preventive / Mycoplasma - immunology / Mycoplasma - isolation & purification / Mycoplasma haemofelis / Mycoplasma haemominutum / Mycoplasma Infections - epidemiology / Mycoplasma Infections - veterinary / Outdoor lifestyle / Parasitology / pathogens / Preventive health services / Retroviridae Infections - epidemiology / Retroviridae Infections - microbiology / Retroviridae Infections - veterinary / Retroviridae Infections - virology / Rickettsia - immunology / Rickettsia - isolation & purification / Rickettsia conorii / Rickettsia Infections - epidemiology / Rickettsia Infections - veterinary / risk / Risk factor / Risk Factors / Tropical Medicine / Vector-borne diseases / Vector-borne pathogens / Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science / Virology / Zoonoses - epidemiology / Zoonoses - microbiology / Zoonoses - parasitology / Zoonosis