scholarly journals Disentangling the link between supplemental feeding, population density, and the prevalence of pathogens in urban stray cats

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jusun Hwang ◽  
Nicole L. Gottdenker ◽  
Dae-Hyun Oh ◽  
Ho-Woo Nam ◽  
Hang Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Supplemental Feeding ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Feline Panleukopenia Virus ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Transmission Modes

Background Supplemental feeding of free-roaming animals, including wildlife and feral or stray animals, is well known to have a substantial impact on various aspects of animal ecology including habitat use, activity patterns, and host-pathogen interactions. Among them, an increased population density (PD) of animals receiving supplemental food raises concerns regarding the transmission of pathogens in these host populations. The primary aim of this study was to investigate how supplemental feeding is associated with host PD and prevalence of pathogens with different transmission modes in urban stray cats. We hypothesized that supplemental feeding would be positively associated with host PD and the prevalence of pathogens with density-dependent transmission modes compared with pathogens with transmission modes that are considered relatively density-independent. Methods This study was conducted in six districts in Seoul, Republic of Korea which were selected based on different degrees of supplemental feeding and cat caretaker activity (CCA). The PD of stray cats was estimated by mark-recapture surveys. Stray cat blood samples (N = 302) were collected from stray cats by local animal hospitals from each district performing the trap-neuter-release which tested for eight pathogens with different transmission modes (feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline panleukopenia virus, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus-1, Bartonella henselae, hemoplasma, and Toxoplasma gondii) with molecular or serological assays. Associations between the prevalence of each pathogen and PD, CCA, and sex of cats were statistically analyzed. Results In contrast to initial predictions, the cat PD was generally higher in low CCA districts. The prevalence of (FeLV), which is transmitted through direct contact, was significantly higher in areas with a high CCA, conforming to our hypothesis. On the other hand, the prevalence of feline parvovirus, which can be spread by environmental transmission, was higher in low CCA districts. The remaining six pathogens did not show any association with the CCA; however, they had a unique association with the PD or the sex of the stray cats. Discussion Our findings suggest that in addition to influencing the PD, supplemental feeding may affect the prevalence of pathogens in urban animals by mechanisms such as increased aggregation and/or altered foraging strategies, with different consequences depending on the transmission mode of each pathogen.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Bartonella Henselae, Felv and Fiv Infection in 60 Stray Cats from Serbia/Pojava Bartonella Henselae, Felv I Fiv Infekcije Kod 60 Uličnih Mačaka U Srbiji

2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Potkonjak Aleksandar ◽  
Vračar Vuk ◽  
Stančić Ivan ◽  
Spasojević Kosić Ljubica ◽  
Bacić Dragan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Direct Immunofluorescence ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coinfection with pathogens Bartonella henselae, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline leukemia virus in stray cats from the area of Novi Sad and Belgrade, Serbia. Each of 60 individual cats was clinically examined and the blood sampled. Therewithal an epidemiological survey was made. Blood sera were separated by centrifugation and serologically tested in order to determine the presence of Bartonella henselae specific antibodies (by direct immunofluorescence assay), feline immunodeficiency virus specific antibodies (by rapid test SNAP Combo) and feline leukemia virus antigens (by rapid test SNAP Combo). Of the 60 cat sera, serologically examined using IFA test, 33 (55%) were positive for the presence of IgG specifi c to B. henselae antigens. A total of 13 (27%) of the 60 tested cat sera were positive for the presence of specific antibodies to FIV antigens. None of the 60 tested cat sera were positive for the presence of FeLV antigen. Of the 33 cat sera which contained IgG antibodies to B. henselae, 6 cat sera also gave a positive reaction to the presence of specific IgG antibodies to FIV; this was a coinfection seroprevalence of 10% in the total population of studied cats. The results obtained in this study indicate the presence of B. henselae and FIV coinfection in cats from Serbia, without FeLV positive cats. An increase in the manifestations of clinical symptoms in cats in which the serological tests determined coinfection with B. henselae and FIV is evident compared to those seropositive only to B. henselae.

scholarly journals Does a Feline Leukemia Virus Infection Pave the Way for Bartonella henselae Infection in Cats?

2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 3295-3300 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. U. Buchmann ◽  
O. Kershaw ◽  
V. A. J. Kempf ◽  
A. D. Gruber
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
The Way

Infection strategies of retroviruses and social grouping of domestic cats

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 1994-2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Fromont ◽  
Franck Courchamp ◽  
Dominique Pontier ◽  
Marc Artois
Keyword(s):  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Host Population ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Transmission Modes ◽  
Social Grouping ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
The Impact

It is thought that parasites may exert selective pressure on the social structure of host populations. We compared the impact of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV), two retroviruses commonly found in domestic cats (Felis catus). Because of low transmissibility and virulence, both infections have a worldwide distribution and low prevalence. Transmission modes differ: FIV is transmitted only through biting, while FeLV transmission occurs by biting, licking, grooming, and sharing food and from mother to fetus. FeLV is also more pathogenic than FIV. We compared FIV and FeLV prevalence and risk factors within five populations of cats. FIV infection occurred almost exclusively among adult male cats fighting to acquire and maintain dominant status. Classes at risk for FeLV infection included sexually intact cats allowed to roam freely. The impact of FeLV on host population growth was greater than that of FIV but varied among populations. Our results show that FIV is favoured by individual aggressiveness and a hierarchical social system, while FeLV is more prevalent among socially active cats. FeLV may constitute a source of selective pressure against numerous amicable contacts, particularly in urban cat populations, where aggression among individuals is reduced.

Feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus andBartonellaspecies in stray cats on St Kitts, West Indies

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 435-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Kelly ◽  
Lenita Moura ◽  
Tanya Miller ◽  
Jaime Thurk ◽  
Nicole Perreault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
West Indies ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

scholarly journals Viral Prevalence in Wild Serval Population is Driven by Season and Sex

EcoHealth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daan J. E. Loock ◽  
Emilio Rendón-Franco ◽  
Samual T. Williams ◽  
Johan van Niekerk ◽  
Lourens H. Swanepoel
Keyword(s):  
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Feline Panleukopenia Virus ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Feline Coronavirus ◽  
Long Term Studies

AbstractOne of the key factors influencing the population dynamics of threatened species such as felids is disease, but long-term studies of the factors influencing seroprevalence of wild felids are extremely rare, hindering conservation efforts. We set out to determine seroprevalence of six viral diseases (feline panleukopenia virus, feline leukemia virus, feline coronavirus, feline calicivirus, feline herpes virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus) among a population of serval (Leptailurus serval) with an extremely high density in South Africa. We captured 55 individuals over four years and screened blood samples for antibodies to each virus. We found that seroprevalence were high (ranging from 30.0% positive for a single virus to 1.8% positive for up to five viruses) and that seroprevalence was influenced by season and sex, but not body condition. We suggest further monitoring of this population and recommend that long-term studies are conducted for serval and other felids to determine whether these trends are representative on a broader scale.

scholarly journals Sanitary conditions of a colony of urban feral cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in a zoological garden of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2004 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 269-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavya Mendes-de-Almeida ◽  
Maria Carolina Ferreira Faria ◽  
Aline Serricella Branco ◽  
Maria Lucia Serrão ◽  
Aline Moreira Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Leukemia Virus ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Feline Leukemia Virus ◽  
Zoological Garden ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Sanitary Conditions ◽  
Babesia Spp

The colony of urban stray cats living in the Rio de Janeiro zoological garden was studied in order to develop a population and health control program. As many cats as possible were captured during two months (47 animals) and were classified according to gender, age, weight and coat markings. They were submitted to a general health evaluation, examined for the presence of ectoparasites and sent to a surgical neutering program. All animals had a blood sample drawn for CBC, platelet count, heartworm and retroviruses detection. Capillary blood smears were made for hemoparasites detection. Coat marking and colors were tabby (59.7%), followed by solid black (17%); torbie (10.6%); bicolor (10.6%) and harlequin (2.1%). The only ectoparasites found were fleas, which infested 28% of the animals. The hemoparasites found were Haemobartonella felis (38%) and piroplasmas that could not be differentiated between Cytauxzoon spp. and Babesia spp. (47%). No cat was found infected by Dirofilaria immitis or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus), although FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) antibodies could be detected (21%). There was no correlation between hemoparasites and FIV infections. The estimated total cat population (mark-recapture method) was 59; 68% female and 32% male, suggesting that a neutering program is in fact needed.

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