Feline Leishmaniosis in Northwestern Italy: Current Status and Zoonotic Implications

Abstract

Leishmaniasis remains one of the major neglected tropical diseases. The epidemiological profile of the disease comprises a wide range of hosts, including dogs and cats. Despite several studies about feline Leishmaniosis, the role of cats in disease epidemiology and its clinical impact is still debated. The present study raises awareness about the impact of leishmaniasis in cats from an endemic region in of Northwestern Italy (Liguria). A total number of 250 serum and 282 blood samples were collected from cats, then assessed for Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) serologically using western blot (WB) and molecularly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We also tested the association of Leishmania infection with some infectious agents like haemotropic Mycoplasma, Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) together with the hematobiochemical status of the examined animals. Interestingly, all tested animals were asymptomatic and out of 250 examined serum samples, 33 (13.20%) samples (confidence interval (CI) 95% 9.56–17.96%) were positive at WB for L. infantum, whereas of the 282 blood samples, 80 (28.36%) returned a positive PCR (CI 95% 23.43–33.89%). Furthermore, there was a statistical association between PCR positivity for L. infantum and some hematological parameters besides FIV infection as well as a direct significant correlation between Mycoplasma infection and WB positivity. Taken together, the present findings report high prevalence of L. infantum among cats, which reinforces the significance of such positive asymptomatic animals and confirms the very low humoral response in this species. In addition, the laboratory values provide evidence that infection by the parasite is linked to alteration of some hematological parameters and is correlated to some infectious agents. These data are of interest and suggest future research for accurate diagnosis of such zoonosis.

Association between feline immunodeficiency virus and Leishmania infantum infections in cats: a retrospective matched case-control study

“…Additionally, this association was confirmed by the logistic regression analysis performed in the univariable model and in the significant multivariable model constructed. Previous studies evaluating risk factors for L. infantum positivity, such as FIV seropositivity, were prevalence studies that analyzed cross-sectional data [ 5 , 9 , 10 , 12 , 19 , 26 – 28 , 30 , 42 ]. Large cross-sectional studies are often based on routinely collected samples and history, and clinical findings data can be incomplete and do not provide information on some confounding factors [ 5 ].…”

“…However, in the multivariate model, PCR positivity was also a FIV seropositivity predictor for L. infantum antibody positivity. Since 1998, a significant association between FIV infection and anti- L. infantum antibodies was reported [ 10 ], and subsequently many other studies have confirmed this association with L. infantum antibody [ 12 , 19 , 26 , 27 ], PCR [ 28 , 42 ], antibody and/or PCR [ 5 , 9 ] positivity. However, sample size and FIV prevalence were variable in these studies as well as diagnostic techniques used to evaluate both FIV and L. infantum positivity, and this is a limitation to compare results from different studies or make a meta-analysis.…”

FeliLeish: An Update on Feline Leishmaniosis and Factors Associated with Infection in Different Feline Populations from Italy

“…While overall there is no evidence of widespread increased incidence of autochthonous human leishmaniosis by L. infantum in European countries [5], the infection is still considered emergent in cats. Published case reports and epidemiological studies have reported infected cats in most European countries in the last decades [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], including in areas where the infection is not endemic in dogs and humans [15,16,18,20]. Integrated leishmaniosis surveillance and reporting following the One Health approach needs to be enhanced to improve disease control [5] and larger cohorts of cats and vector studies are necessary to determine whether felids may act as reservoirs or sentinels of human Leishmania infection [21].…”

Parasitological, Molecular, and Epidemiological Investigation of Cryptosporidium Infection Among Cattle and Buffalo Calves From Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt: Current Status and Zoonotic Implications

“…Providing periodical updates about the epidemiological data of the parasites through field surveys seems crucial for effectively implementing strategies for controlling the disease (15)(16)(17)(18)(19). In the available literature, little is known about the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis among cattle and buffalo calves in Upper Egypt and the real contributions of these animals in the maintenance of the epidemiological foci of the disease.…”