Seroepidemiological Survey ofBartonella (Rochalimaea) henselaein Domestic Cats in Japan

Abstract

A total of 199 domestic cat serum samples from 3 geographical areas (northeastern, central and southwestern) of Japan collected between 1992 to 1994 were examined for serum antibody against Bartonella henselae using an immunofluorescent assay. The antibody prevalence was 15.1% (30/199). A significant difference in the prevalence of B. henselae antibody was observed between the northeastern area (6.3%:3/48) and the central area (22.0%: 13/59) in Japan. There was no significant difference between the average age of seropositive cats (4.39 ±3.26 years) and that of seronegative cats (4.03 ±3.84 years), and also between the frequency of seropositive male cats (16.5%: 15/91) and that of seropositive female cats (11.8%:9/76). This is the first report of B. henselae antibodies in cats in Japan.

Seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae and Toxoplasma gondii Infections among Pet Cats in Kanagawa and Saitama, Prefectures.

“…The positive rate in male cats was significantly higher than that of female ones. Other studies also showed that seropositivity of male cats was higher than that of female ones [4,27]. These data may suggest that male cats have more chances to be infected with the agent by fights during the estrus period.…”

“…In Japan, the average seropositive rate to B. henselae in cats was reported to be 15.1% [27]. This study revealed that 9.1% of pet cats were seropositive for B. henselae.…”

“…In Japan, a significant difference in the seroprevalence was observed between the northeastern (6.3%, 3/48) and the central areas (22.0%, 13/59) [27]. In the United States, warm, humid environments are associated with a higher seropositive rate than are cold, dry environments [17].…”

“…Though cats are strongly considered to be the reservoirs of the disease, only a few reports are available on epidemiology of B. henselae infection in domestic cats in this country [23,27,28]. Therefore, prevalence of the infection among domestic cats in Japan remains till obscure.…”

Serological Study of Bartonella henselae in Cat Scratch Disease in Japan

“…An indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) test for the detection of antibodies to B. henselae has been increasingly used for the diagnosis and epidemiologic studies of CSD (7,8,11). Serological study of B. henselae in domestic cats revealed the prevalence of cats infected with B. henselae in Japan (9). There are no reports of a serological response to B. henselae in patients with CSD in Japan.…”