Feline Leishmania spp. Infection in a Non-Endemic Area of Northern Italy

Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) is an emerging vector-borne feline disease, with increasing numbers of cases reported and studies performed internationally. This study aimed to update the epidemiological status for FeL in stray cats in Milan, northern Italy; compare these results with previous studies in Northern Italy; and report clinicopathologic findings and coinfections in cats infected with Leishmania spp. A total of 117 cats were tested for L. infantum and retrovirus infection, hematological, and biochemical parameters. Demographic and clinical data were collected and FeL affected cats screened for selected coinfections. Overall, 10/117 (8.6%) cats tested positive for L. infantum: in five cats L. infantum DNA was found in popliteal lymph nodes and five were IFAT seropositive at titers from 1:80 to 1:160. Infected cats were concentrated in a specific area of Milan (p = 0.0154). No specific clinicopathologic abnormalities or retroviral infections were significantly linked to the infection, other than hypergammaglobulinemia (p = 0.0127). Seroreactivity to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Chlamydophila felis, and Toxoplasma gondii was found in some infected cats. A high prevalence of FeL was found in a non-endemic area of northern Italy and future studies should continually monitor this data to understand whether these cases are imported or if Leishmania vectors are present in this area.

Download Full-text

Specific anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in stray cats in Greece

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.jfms.2008.01.009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 728-730 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Anastasia Diakou ◽

Elias Papadopoulos ◽

Kostantinos Lazarides

Keyword(s):

Animal Species ◽

Leishmania Species ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Endemic Country ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Northern Greece ◽

Stray Cats ◽

Feline Leishmaniosis ◽

Leishmania Spp ◽

Adult Cats

Greece is a highly endemic country for Leishmania species. Canine cases of leishmaniosis are recorded in different parts of the country. However, no case of feline leishmaniosis has been reported yet. In the present study, the seroprevalence in cats was investigated as a first approach to measuring Leishmania spp. infection of this animal species, in Greece. For this purpose, blood serum samples from 284 stray adult cats, living in the major area of Thessaloniki (Northern Greece), were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of anti- Leishmania spp. IgG. Eleven (3.87%) of the examined animals were found positive. The prevalence was lower in cats than in dogs coming from the same area, based on previous studies. Despite the low seroprevalence for Leishmania spp. in cats, leishmaniosis may be taken into consideration concerning the differential diagnosis of the feline diseases, especially in endemic areas.

Download Full-text

Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in Stray Cats from Northern Italy: A Serological and Molecular Survey

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10122334 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2334

Author(s):

Valentina Virginia Ebani ◽

Lisa Guardone ◽

Federica Marra ◽

Iolanda Altomonte ◽

Simona Nardoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

One Health ◽

Bartonella Henselae ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Stray Cats ◽

Wide Range ◽

Leishmania Spp ◽

Emilia Romagna Region ◽

Babesia Spp

Cats may be affected by a wide range of arthropod-borne pathogens (ABPs) of medical and veterinary interest. Between February 2018 and October 2019, 85 blood samples were collected from stray cats from the Emilia Romagna region (northern Italy). Ticks (n = 28) on the examined cats were also collected. Serological and molecular methods were applied to search for infection by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella henselae, Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania spp., Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., and Cytauxzoon spp. A total of 71 sera (83.5%) had antibodies to at least one investigated pathogen: 39 (45.9%) were positive for B. henselae, 32 (37.6%) positive for C. burnetii, 12 (14.1%) positive for E. canis, four (4.7%) positive for A. phagocytophilum, and two (2.4%) positive for Leishmania spp. A total of 47 (55.3%) DNA samples were positive by PCR for at least one investigated pathogen: 25 (29.4%) were positive for C. burnetii, 23 (27.1%) positive for B. henselae, two (2.4%) positive for E. canis, five (5.9%) positive for Leishmania spp., and two (2.4%) positive for Cytauxzoon spp. Coinfections were observed in 21 cats (24.7%). No positivity was found for A. phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., or Hepatozoon spp. All ticks were negative. A widespread presence of ABPs in the investigated area of northern Italy was shown. Accurate information on their prevalence may be relevant for feline veterinary medicine, as well as from a One Health perspective.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of Haemoplasma Infections in Stray Cats in Northern Italy

ISRN Microbiology ◽

10.1155/2014/298352 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Eva Spada ◽

Daniela Proverbio ◽

Paola Galluzzo ◽

Alessandra Della Pepa ◽

Giada Bagnagatti De Giorgi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Negative Association ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Conventional Pcr ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Stray Cats ◽

Stray Cat

This study investigated the prevalence of feline haemoplasma infections in a number of stray cat colonies in Milan, Northern Italy. Blood samples from 260 stray cats were evaluated, with conventional PCR, for the presence of DNA associated with Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” (CMhm). Odd ratios (OR) were calculated to identify risk factors for haemoplasma infections. PCR was positive in 86 out of 260 subjects (33.1%), with a prevalence of 10.8% (28/260 cats) for Mhf and 22.3% (58/260 cats) for CMhm. No coinfections were registered. There were significant associations between infections and season of sampling, that is, a negative association between winter sampling and a haemoplasma positive status (OR=0.29, P=0.001), or CMhm positive status (OR=0.29, P=0.01). Haemoplasma infections are common in stray cats in Milan. Thus, domestic cats with outdoor access should be routinely monitored and treated for ectoparasites to minimize risks of disease acquisition. Moreover, as these infections are transmitted via blood, feline blood donors from this area should be screened by PCR and preferably be drawn from a population of indoor cats regularly treated for fleas.

Download Full-text

Dirofilaria immitis in wolves recolonizing northern Italy: are wolves competent hosts?

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04353-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Barbara Moroni ◽

Luca Rossi ◽

Pier Giuseppe Meneguz ◽

Riccardo Orusa ◽

Simona Zoppi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Pulmonary Arteries ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Fertility Status ◽

Heartworm Infection ◽

Long Time ◽

The Right ◽

Return Process

Abstract Background Wild carnivores such as the grey wolf (Canis lupus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and golden jackal (Canis aureus) are recognized hosts of Dirofilaria immitis. However, few studies have focused on their actual role in the epidemiology of heartworm infection. This study describes the prevalence and distribution of D. immitis in wolves in a heartworm-endemic area in northern Italy where wolves have recently returned after long-time eradication, and investigates the fertility status of the collected adult nematodes. Methods In the frame of a long-term wolf monitoring programme in northwestern Italy, 210 wolf carcasses from four provinces were inspected for the presence of filarioid nematodes in the right heart and pulmonary arteries. Female heartworms were measured, and their uterine content analyzed according to a previously described “embryogram” technique. Results Three wolves, all originating from a single province (Alessandria), were positive for D. immitis (1.42%, 95% CI: 0.48–4.11%, in the whole study area; 13.6%, 95% CI: 4.7–33.3%, limited to the single province from which infected wolves originated). Mean intensity was 5 worms (range: 3–7) and the female worms measured 21–28 cm in length. Six out of 9 female worms harbored uterine microfilariae: 5 were classified as gravid; 1 showed a “discontinuous gradient”; and 3 were non-gravid. Conclusions The present data show that heartworm infection is already prevalent in wolves that have recolonized the known heartworm-endemic area. Based on “embryogram” results, wolves were shown suitable heartworm hosts. Interestingly, investigated wolves appeared similarly exposed to heartworm infection as sympatric unprotected dogs (owned dogs that have never received any heartworm prevention treatment) sampled at the beginning of the wolf return process.

Download Full-text

Dirofilaria immitis exposure status in client-owned cats with or without lower airway/lung-associated signs: case-control study in a canine heartworm-endemic area

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1177/1098612x15618704 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 153-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chung-Hui Lin ◽

Pei-Ying Lo ◽

Han-Ju Tsai ◽

Lih-Chiann Wang ◽

Bor-Song Liaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Case Control ◽

Lower Airway ◽

Canine Heartworm ◽

Stray Cats ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Control Study

Objectives Heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) is a recently recognised pathological manifestation in cats caused by Dirofilaria immitis exposure. This study aimed to estimate the percentage of cats at risk of developing HARD in a heartworm-endemic area (Taipei, Taiwan), and to test the correlation of heartworm exposure and the presence of lower airway/lung clinical signs (LA/L signs). Methods This was a prospective case-control study. The study design called for the enrolment of at least 80 cats with LA/L signs and at least 80 cats without such clinical signs in a 1 year period. The D immitis antibody seroprevalence of the two cohorts was compared. Results From February 2014 to January 2015, 187 client-owned cats were prospectively enrolled: 83 clinical cases with LA/L signs and 104 cats without such signs. Antibody seropositivity was approximately twice as frequent in cats with LA/L signs (13.3%) than in cats without signs (7.8%) (odds ratio [OR] 1.814); nevertheless, no statistically significant difference between the two cohorts ( P = 0.22) was found. We used 41 frozen samples from free-roaming cats to examine the possibility of different exposure rates to mosquito bites between client-owned cats and stray cats, finding the seroprevalence to be 7.5% in free-roaming cats – a result not statistically different to that in client-owned cats ( P = 0.60). Outdoor access was a significant risk factor for heartworm exposure in client-owned cats (OR 3.748; P = 0.03); however, living entirely indoors did not provide complete protection from exposure/infection. Conclusions and relevance Our results did not show statistically significant differences in antibody seroprevalence between cats with and without LA/L signs. LA/L signs were not always present under conditions of natural exposure. However, exposure to D immitis is not rare among client-owned cats, suggesting that heartworm prophylactics should be a part of routine care in all cats living in areas endemic for canine heartworm.

Download Full-text

Coinfection of and Leishmania spp. in Synanthropic Reservoirs (Canis familiaris)in an Endemic Area of The State of Querétaro, Use of FeSODe as an Antigenic Tool

Journal of Preventive Medicine ◽

10.21767/2572-5483.100032 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 03 (02) ◽

Author(s):

Villagran Herrera ME ◽

Valdez FC ◽

Moreno MS ◽

Martínez Ibarra JA ◽

Cabrera JADD

Keyword(s):

Endemic Area ◽

Canis Familiaris ◽

The State ◽

Leishmania Spp

Download Full-text

Detection of Leishmania spp in silvatic mammals and isolation of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis from Rattus rattus in an endemic area for leishmaniasis in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0187704 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. e0187704 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Agnes Antônia Sampaio Pereira ◽

Eduardo de Castro Ferreira ◽

Ana Cristina Viana Mariano da Rocha Lima ◽

Gabriel Barbosa Tonelli ◽

Felipe Dutra Rêgo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endemic Area ◽

Rattus Rattus ◽

Minas Gerais ◽

Minas Gerais State ◽

Leishmania Spp

Download Full-text

A pre- and during Pandemic Survey of Sars-Cov-2 Infection in Stray Colony and Shelter Cats from a High Endemic Area of Northern Italy

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13040618 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 618

Author(s):

Eva Spada ◽

Fabrizio Vitale ◽

Federica Bruno ◽

Germano Castelli ◽

Stefano Reale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rectal Swab ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Northern Italy ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Endemic Region ◽

Lombardy Region ◽

Stray Cats ◽

Stray Cat

Cats are susceptible to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Whilst a number of studies have been performed worldwide on owned cats, limited data are available on stray, colony or shelter cats. We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection in a stray cat population before and during human outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in cities in the Lombardy region in northern Italy, a high endemic region for SARS-CoV-2, using serological and molecular methods. A cohort of different samples were collected from 241 cats, including frozen archived serum samples from 136 cats collected before the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and serum, pharyngeal and rectal swab samples from 105 cats collected during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. All pre-pandemic samples tested seronegative for antibodies against the nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 using indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, while one serum sample collected during the pandemic was seropositive. No serological cross-reactivity was detected between SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and antibodies against feline enteric (FECV) and infectious peritonitis coronavirus (FIPC), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Feline Calicivirus (FCV), Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Feline Parvovirus (FPV), Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Toxoplasma gondii or Chlamydophila felis. No pharyngeal or rectal swab tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA on real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Our data show that SARS-CoV-2 did infect stray cats in Lombardy during the COVID-19 pandemic, but with lower prevalence than found in owned cats. This should alleviate public concerns about stray cats acting as SARS-CoV-2 carriers.

Download Full-text