Orthopoxvirus Seroprevalence in Cats and Veterinary Personnel in North-Eastern Italy in 2011

Abstract

Orthopoxviruses (OPV) are emerging zoonotic pathogens, and an increasing number of human infections is currently reported in Europe and in other continents, warranting heightened attention on this topic. Following two OPV infections reported in veterinarians scratched by sick cats in 2005 and 2007 in North-Eastern-Italy, involving a previously undescribed OPV, a similar strain was isolated by a sick cat from the same territory in 2011, i.e., 6 years later, raising attention on OPV circulation in this region. A surveillance program was launched to assess the OPV seroprevalence among the veterinarians working in local veterinary clinics and in the local wild and domestic cat population; seroprevalence was 33.3% in veterinarians and 19.5% in cats. Seroprevalence in cats was unevenly distributed, peaking at 40% in the area where OPV-infected cats had been observed.

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“…We did not find any documented evidence of livestock being infected with MPXV. Regarding transmissibility to domestic animals or pets such as dogs and cats, although these are susceptible to infection with other OPXV and can play a relevant role in human infection ( Carletti et al., 2009 ; von Bomhard et al., 2011 ; Lapa et al., 2019 ), we have not found any description of natural or experimental infection with MPXV in these animals. In particular cats, especially those only partially domestic, if susceptible and potentially infectious, might be able to spread the infection to wildlife, i.e.…”

“…There are numerous examples of new pathogens introduced by intentionally or accidentally imported animal species and became established in native animal population (e.g., Yersinia pestis introduced by rats to the western United States) ( Azad, 2004 ). Although the transmission from animals to humans of several OPXVs ( Carletti et al., 2009 ; Cardeti et al., 2011 ; Puro et al., 2018 ; Lapa et al., 2019 ) and of MPXV in particular ( Arita and Henderson, 1976 ; Breman et al., 1980 ; Arita et al., 1985 ) has been well documented, only few reports indicate that transmission of OPXVs from humans to animals can naturally occur. Most of these reports date back to the time of the smallpox elimination campaign, when the possibility that the virus could be transmitted to monkeys (nonhuman primates, NHP) was the subject of intense investigation.…”

Zoonotic risks of pathogens from dairy cattle and their milk-borne transmission

“…Cattle warts, caused by bovine papillomavirus, are highly prevalent in Dutch cattle but appear to be species-specific and transmission to humans is unproven (Lawson et al ., 2018). In contrast, cowpox (mainly observed in cats) and related vaccinia virus may infect humans (Lapa et al ., 2019). These viruses usually cause skin lesions, although the ocular form may lead to serious complications.…”

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“…Direct exposure to an affected cat, zoo animals, or pet rats has been the predominant method of CPXV zoonotic transmission (Switaj et al 2015). There have been multiple cases of CPXV which transmit from cows, cats, and rats to people (Switaj et al 2015;Lapa et al 2019). Humans infected with CPXV frequently experience a restricted external lesion along with fatigue fever, lymphadenopathy as well as sores on the hands, fingers, and rarely on other parts of the body (Grönemeyer et al 2017).…”