Molecular Survey of Bartonella Species in Shelter Cats in Rio De Janeiro: Clinical, Hematological, and Risk Factors

Abstract

The present study aimed to detect Bartonella DNA in cats belonging to shelters, and to evaluate risk factors, clinical signs, and hematological abnormalities associated with infection. Complete blood counts and screening for the presence of Bartonella DNA were performed on cats' ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid anticoagulant-blood samples. Eighty-three cats (39.9%) were positive for Bartonella species. Bartonella DNA was also detected in fleas and in the blood of cats infested by positive flea. Cats that had not been sterilized, had outdoor access, had histories of fights, and had concurrent flea infestation were more likely to be infected by Bartonella species (P < 0.05). Age and sex were not associated with infection. Fifty-one (38.6%) symptomatic cats were positive to Bartonella species (P > 0.05). Clinical conditions most commonly observed were signs of respiratory abnormality and Sporothrix species coinfection (P > 0.05). Regarding hematological changes, eosinophilia was associated with infection (P < 0.05). A high frequency of Bartonella species infection was found in shelter cats and highlights the importance of adequate flea-control programs to prevent infection in cats and consequently in adopters and other animals.

Molecular detection of vector-borne agents in cats in Southern Brazil

“…Previously, a small Bartonella-gltA sequence fragment (96-bp) sharing 99% identity with B. koehlerae was detected in a margay (L. wiedii) maintained in captivity in a Brazilian zoo (FILONI et al, 2012). Recently, B. koehlerae was detected in cats in Rio de Janeiro (RAIMUNDO et al, 2019). Although B. koehlerae has been isolated from cat blood, the routes of transmission among cats have not been fully established yet (PENNISI et al, 2013).…”

Title Prevalence of Bartonella Species in Shelter Cats and their Ectoparasites in Southeastern Brazil

“…The overall prevalence of Bartonella DNA was 47.5% in cat blood, 18.3% in eas, 13.3% in ea egg pools, and 12.5% in lice pools. The occurrence of Bartonella DNA was higher than previously reported, especially in shelter cats [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. However, a previous study reported 97.3% positivity in one shelter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [26].…”

“…Considering the ea importance on Bartonella transmission between cats [9,25] and the absent link of lice infestation to Bartonella infection in cats in this and previous studies [25,30], it is necessary to be cautious to infer that the louse was responsible for the transmission of bacteria to the cat in the present study. In order to analyse the importance of the lice as a vector of Bartonella spp.…”

“…However, a previous study reported 97.3% positivity in one shelter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [26]. Risk factors which appear to in uence the occurrence of bacteremia in cats includes age, ea infestation status, neutering status, historic of ghts, outdoor access and multiple cat households [25,[27][28][29]. Flea infestation status is particularly important as all cats in this study had ectoparasites on their body surface.…”

“…A study has shown C. felis to be a potential vector for Bartonella species including those for which cats serve as natural reservoir, such as B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae [40]. In fact, there is a positive correlation between previous or current ea infestation and Bartonella bacteremia in shelter cats [25]. Although there was no statistical association, cats infested by eas have at least twice the chance of becoming infected by Bartonella species.…”