Prevalence of Bartonella species, Rickettsia felis, haemoplasmas and the Ehrlichia group in the blood of cats and fleas in eastern Australia

Barrs, Vanessa R.; Beatty, Julia A.; Wilson, Bethany; Evans, N. A.; Gowan, Richard A; Baral, Randolph M.; Lingard, Amy E; Perkovic, G.; Hawley, Jennifer; Lappin, Michael R.

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00569.x

Cited by 83 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Similar results have been described in rickettsiae as well as other pathogens infecting cats [39, 44]. Our results may be due to the fact that our area is a predominantly urban area, in which stray cats are very controlled, and most of them are sterilized.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In the same way, R. felis -specific PCRs targeting the ompB gene were negative. Quite a few studies have failed to detect this microorganism in blood [37, 44–46]. For instance, whereas R. felis was detected in 18% of fleas from Ontario, molecular detection was negative in cats [45].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are some hypotheses about the lack of R. felis amplification in blood. It could be related to a rapid immune response [37]; a low concentration of R. felis in blood, lower than the detection limit of PCR assays [44, 46]; an intermittent bacteraemia that could be missed when the sample is taken [47]; and a sequestration of R. felis in other tissues such as endothelial cells, spleen, and dermal tissues [44, 46]. In this way, Lappin et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of cats in the eco-epidemiology of spotted fever group diseases

et al. 2014

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BackgroundMediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF), whose etiological agent is R. conorii, is one of the oldest described vector-borne infectious diseases. Although it is endemic in the Mediterranean area, clinical cases have also been reported in other regions. R. massiliae-Bar29 is related to MSF cases. This strain is distributed worldwide. R. conorii and R. massiliae-Bar29 are transmitted by ticks. Dogs are considered the sentinel of R. conorii infection. Cats could also be involved in their transmission. Rickettsia felis, etiological agent of Flea-borne spotted fever, is mainly transmitted by the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. Up to now, the role of cats in its transmission is not entirely elucidated. The aim of the study is to analyze the infection in cats by these microorganisms.MethodsThe study was undertaken in Northeastern Spain. Twenty municipalities of seven regions participated in the study. 212 cats (pets and stray cats) were analyzed. Variables surveyed were: date of collection, age, sex, municipality, source, living place, outdoor activities, health status, type of disease, contact with other animals, and ectoparasite infestation. Sera were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA). Molecular detection (real-time PCR and sequencing) and cultures were performed on blood samples.ResultsThere were 59 (27.8%) cats seroreactive to one or more microorganisms. Considering cross-reactions, the seroprevalences were 15.6%-19.5% (R. massiliae-Bar29), 1.9%-6.2% (R. conorii), and 5.2%-7.5% (R. felis). A weak association was observed between SFG seropositivity and tick infestation. Ticks found on seropositive cats were Rhipicephalus pusillus, R. sanguineus and R. turanicus. DNA of Rickettsia was detected in 23 cats. 21 of them could be sequenced. Sequences obtained were identical to those sequences of SFG rickettsiae similar to R. conorii and R. massiliae. No amplification of R. felis was obtained.ConclusionsCats can be infected by SFG rickettsiae and produce antibodies against them. Cats may play a role in the transmission cycle of R. conorii and R. massiliae-Bar29, although the role in the R. felis cycle needs further analysis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of cats in the eco-epidemiology of spotted fever group diseases

et al. 2014

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“…Dogs in particular have been implicated in potentially contributing to the life-cycle of R. felis , with molecular detection of the R. felis omp B gene in the blood of 9% of pound dogs in south east Queensland [15] and 2.3% of indigenous community dogs in the Northern Territory [13]. Both dogs and cats are well known to harbor ectoparasites, with C. felis felis being the dominant flea species [16], from which R. felis has also been isolated [17, 18]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological evidence of exposure to Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia typhi in Australian veterinarians

et al. 2017

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Background Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia typhi are emerging arthropod-borne zoonoses causing fever and flu-like symptoms. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with exposure to these organisms was explored in Australian veterinarians.MethodsOne hundred and thirty-one veterinarians from across Australia were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Veterinarians provided a single blood sample and answered a questionnaire on potential risk factors influencing their exposure to R. felis and R. typhi. Indirect microimmunofluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) was used to identify evidence of serological exposure of the participants to R. felis and R. typhi. Results were analyzed and a logistical regression model performed to predict risk factors associated with seropositivity.ResultsIn total, 16.0% of participants were seropositive to R. felis, 4.6% to R. typhi and 35.1% seropositive to both, where cross-reactivity of the IFAT between R. felis and R. typhi precluded a definitive diagnosis. Veterinarians residing within the south-eastern states of Victoria and Tasmania were at a higher risk of exposure to R. felis or generalised R. felis or R. typhi exposure. Older veterinarians and those that recommended flea treatment to their clients were found to be significantly protected from exposure.ConclusionsThe high exposure to R. felis amongst veterinary professionals suggests that flea-borne spotted fever is an important cause of undifferentiated fever conditions that may not be adequately recognized in Australia.

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“…This finding is relevant for other dog-associated, fleaborne pathogens such as Rickettsia felis, the cause of flea-borne spotted fever. Despite its name, recent data [55] suggest it is dogs, not cats, that are the peri-domestic mammal reservoir for R. felis; perhaps this should not come as a surprise since R. felis has proved elusive to isolate from cats [56,57], yet the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) -widely recognised as the vector for R. felis -parasitises dogs with alacrity ( Figure 2). Nevertheless, ectoparasiticides should be applied to both dogs and cats to prevent the spread of this disease.…”

Section: Paradigm 3: Fleas Are More Than Simply a Nuisancementioning

confidence: 99%

It shouldn’t happen to a dog … or a veterinarian: clinical paradigms for canine vector-borne diseases

Irwin

2014

Trends in Parasitology

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Keywords:Canine, vector-borne diseases, zoonosis, emerging disease, diagnosis, travel medicine, compliance AbstractCanine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) comprise a diverse group of viral, bacterial, protozoal, and helminth pathogens, transmitted predominantly by ticks and fleas, and cause significant health problems for dogs worldwide. Growing numbers of reports indicate that CVBDs are emerging in regions where they previously did not exist and this, combined with pathogens that are inherently difficult to detect, is providing companion animal veterinarians with some significant diagnostic challenges. This review discusses six paradigms concerning the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and zoonotic implications of CVBDs from a veterinary clinical perspective. Veterinarians are the key professionals at the companion animal: human interface. Not only do they provide the traditional medical and surgical services for pets, their training in the disciplines of parasitology, microbiology, epidemiology, and public health place them in a unique position to provide advice about matters pertaining to vector-borne diseases. Despite this, emerging canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) pose a number of significant and complex challenges for veterinarians in clinical practice whose responsibility it is to diagnose and treat these companion animals, while at the same time remaining mindful of the potential for disease transmission to the owners and other people living in close proximity, as well as to other susceptible animals [5]. As will be discussed here, many CVBDs are caused by organisms that are inherently difficult to detect, frequently cause nebulous clinical signs in their canine hosts, and are sometimes zoonotic. In addition, the rapid progress of scientific research in this area itself poses further challenges of how best to distil and disseminate this knowledge to busy veterinary practitioners worldwide at a time when every aspect of clinical practice is becoming more complex. How should practitioners keep current with information in this area so that they can provide appropriate evidence-based advice to their clients?

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Prevalence of Bartonella species, Rickettsia felis, haemoplasmas and the Ehrlichia group in the blood of cats and fleas in eastern Australia

Cited by 83 publications

References 36 publications

The role of cats in the eco-epidemiology of spotted fever group diseases

The role of cats in the eco-epidemiology of spotted fever group diseases

Serological evidence of exposure to Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia typhi in Australian veterinarians

It shouldn’t happen to a dog … or a veterinarian: clinical paradigms for canine vector-borne diseases

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