Emerging feline vector-borne pathogens in Italy

Abstract

Background The epidemiology of feline vector-borne pathogens (FeVBPs) has been less investigated in cats than in dogs. The present study assessed the prevalence of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp. and Leishmania infantum infections in cat populations living in central Italy, by molecular and serological tools. Results A total of 286 healthy cats were randomly selected from catteries and colonies in central Italy. Peripheral blood and conjunctival swab (CS) samples were collected during surgical procedures for regional neutering projects. Sera were analysed by IFAT to detect anti- Rickettsia felis , R. conorii , Babesia microti and Leishmania IgG antibodies using commercial and home-made antigens. DNA extracted from buffy coats (BCs) was tested for Rickettsia spp., and Piroplasmida species, including Cytauxzoon spp. and Babesia spp. by PCR. Buffy coats and CS samples were assayed by a nested (n)-PCR for Leishmania spp. Sixty-two cats (21.67%) were seropositive to at least one of the tested pathogens. The serological assay revealed 23 (8.04%) and 18 (6.29%) positive cats for R. felis and R. conorii , respectively, with low titers (1/64–1/128). No antibodies against B. microti were detected. Neither Rickettsia nor Piroplasmida DNA were amplified using the specific PCR assays. Thirty-one cats (10.83%) tested positive to anti- Leishmania IgG, with titers ranging from 1:40 to 1:160 and 45 animals (15.73%) tested positive to Leishmania CS n-PCR, whereas none of the animals tested positive to BC n-PCR. Considering the results obtained by IFAT and CS n-PCR, a moderate agreement between the two tests was detected (κ = 0.27). Conclusions The results of the serological and molecular surveys showed a moderate exposure to Leishmania in the investigated cats and highlighted the limited molecular diagnostic value of BC versus CS samples for this pathogen. Conversely no evidence supported the circulation of Cytauxzoon spp. in domestic cats, in contrast with previous detections in European wild cats in the same areas monitored. The low positive titres for R. felis in association with no DNA BC amplification prevent speculation on the exposure of feline populations to this FeVBP due to the cross-reactivity existing within spotted fever group rickettsiosis (SFGR).

A molecular survey of vector-borne pathogens and haemoplasmas in owned cats across Italy

“…and Babesia spp. [18][19][20][21]. FeVBDs have been reported in cat populations in different countries of the Mediterranean basin (e.g.…”

“…serological and/or molecular tests), the animals' lifestyle (i.e. indoor, outdoor) as well as the sample size tested [5,11,15,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. These methodological differences make it difficult to draw comparisons for FeVBDs prevalence and to achieve a complete picture for areas such as the Italian Peninsula.…”

Retrospective Evaluation of Vector-borne Infections in Cats Living in Germany (2012-2020)

“…Previous studies in dogs living in Germany have found prevalences of 35% (imported dogs [12]), 13% (travelling dogs [13]), and 44% (any history of time spent abroad [14]). Any comparison of the prevalence of infection with vector-borne pathogens in dogs and cats is of limited value, for several reasons which include the following: different prevalence rates of some pathogens in dogs and in cats in endemic countries, variation in study design, difference in immune responses to infection in dogs and cats, different host preferences of speci c pathogens, and inborn resistance mechanisms for some pathogens [15]. Moreover, cats exhibit a more thorough cleaning behaviour than dogs, which may cause them to remove a potential vector and therefore inhibit any possible disease transmission [16].…”

Vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in cats

“…These infections may be transmitted from pets to humans or by vectors -ticks, fleas, lice, and mosquitos. Cats, especially those with an outdoor lifestyle, are highly likely to be exposed to these arthropods (Otranto et al, 2017;Morganti et al, 2019).…”

“…As cats become one of the most popular choices of pets in Europe, it is important to analyse the rates of their VBZD infection. Although cats may act as carriers of the causative agents of diseases and/or infected arthropods to humans and other pets that share the domestic habitat, in Europe the epidemiology of feline vector-borne zoonotic pathogens (Fe-VBZPs) is generally less investigated in cats than in dogs (Otranto, Dantas-Torres, 2010; Chomel, Sun, 2011; Morganti et al, 2019). Cats appear to be less frequently infected and affected by vectorborne diseases than dogs.…”