1. Clinical evaluation of outdoor cats exposed to ectoparasites and associated risk for vector-borne infections in southern Italy.
- Author
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Persichetti, Maria Flaminia, Pennisi, Maria Grazia, Vullo, Angela, Masucci, Marisa, Migliazzo, Antonella, and Solano-Gallego, Laia
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CAT parasites ,CATS as carriers of disease ,ECTOPARASITES ,PATHOGENIC microorganisms ,ZOONOSES - Abstract
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 andLeishmania 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 againstR. conorii ,B. henselae ,A. phagocytophylum ,B. microti ,E. canis andL. 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 toBartonella and antibody positivity toR. conorii were higher in SG. Multivariable analysis found significant associations ofBartonella spp. infection with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) infection and increased globulins, and ofMycoplasma 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, withRickettsia andBartonella infections being most prevalent. Some risk factors were documented namely forMycoplasma spp. andBartonella spp. The lifestyle of cats is clinically relevant and requires specific preventative measures to protect their health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2018
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