Serological and molecular evidence of Bartonella henselae in cats from Luanda city, Angola

Profiling Bartonella infection and its associated risk factors in shelter cats in Malaysia

BACKGROUND

Poor disease management and irregular vector control could predispose sheltered animals to disease such as feline Bartonella infection, a vector-borne zoonotic disease primarily caused by Bartonella henselae.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the status of Bartonella infection in cats from eight (n = 8) shelters by molecular and serological approaches, profiling the CD4:CD8 ratio and the risk factors associated with Bartonella infection in shelter cats.

METHODS

Bartonella deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer gene, followed by DNA sequencing. Bartonella IgM and IgG antibody titre, CD4 and CD8 profiles were detected using indirect immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

B. henselae was detected through PCR and sequencing in 1.0% (1/101) oral swab and 2.0% (1/50) cat fleas, while another 3/50 cat fleas carried B. clarridgeiae. Only 18/101 cats were seronegative against B. henselae, whereas 30.7% (31/101) cats were positive for both IgM and IgG, 8% (18/101) cats had IgM, and 33.7% (34/101) cats had IgG antibody only. None of the eight shelters sampled had Bartonella antibody-free cats. Although abnormal CD4:CD8 ratio was observed in 48/83 seropositive cats, flea infestation was the only significant risk factor observed in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides the first comparison on the Bartonella spp. antigen, antibody status and CD4:CD8 ratio among shelter cats. The high B. henselae seropositivity among shelter cats presumably due to significant flea infestation triggers an alarm of whether the infection could go undetectable and its potential transmission to humans.

Detection of antibodies against three zoonotic Bartonella spp. and cross-reactivity among species and Coxiella burnetii in dogs and cats from Central Thailand

Dogs and cats are important reservoir hosts of bacterial zoonotic pathogens, especially the Proteobacteria, Bartonella spp., and Coxiella burnetii. Bartonella spp. and C. burnetii are Gram-negative intracellular bacteria causing cat-scratch disease and query fever, respectively. Despite these two pathogens being dangerous, studies of their seroprevalence and cross-reactivity are limited in Thailand. The objectives of this study were to detect the seroprevalence of three zoonotic species of Bartonella and to evaluate cross-reactivity among Bartonella spp. and with C. burnetii. In total, 570 dog and cat serum samples were detected for antibodies against Bartonella spp. and C. burnetii using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test. At titer ≥ 1:64, tested serum that had a fluorescent intensity score ≥ 2 was interpreted as positive. Additionally, possible factors related to the seroprevalence were analyzed consisting of sex, breed, age, residing area, and ectoparasite control. Overall, the seroprevalence levels of Bartonella spp. and C. burnetii were 13.16% and 1.23%, respectively. All antigens of Bartonella were reacted to sera (1.23-7.72%), furthermore, both phases of C. burnetii were revealed in sera (0.35-1.05%). Interestingly, there was a poor agreement of cross-reactivity among Bartonella spp. at 5.56-8.70%, while cross-reactivity between Bartonella spp. and C. burnetii also showed poor agreement (2.80%). It is suggested that dogs and cats are important reservoirs of Bartonella spp., even in animals with ectoparasite control. The Bartonella seroprevalence was high in pure-breed animals with ectoparasite control, reflecting that Bartonella spp. infections can occur in owned, well-cared-for, and asymptomatic dogs and cats.

Hemotropic Mycoplasma and Bartonella Species Diversity in Free-Roaming Canine and Feline from Luanda, Angola

Free-roaming dogs and cats represent potential reservoirs for zoonotic vector-borne pathogens shedding to the human population. Given the health impact of these pathogens, we searched free-roaming dogs and cats included in an animal population control program from Luanda, Angola, for Bartonella and hemotropic mycoplasma infection. We report the detection of Bartonella henselae (2/66; 3%), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (5/66; 7.5%) and Mycoplasma haemofelis (1/66; 1.5%) in cats. One dog was found positive for Mycoplasma haemocanis (1/20; 5%). This is the first report of Bartonella henselae infections in stray cats and of hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats and dogs from Angola. Despite the relatively small sample size, our results sustain the hypothesis of uncontrolled circulation of these agents in highly mobile synanthropic animal populations of Luanda. Population and vector control could contribute to reducing the likelihood for animal-to-animal and animal-to-human transmission.

Efficacy of a novel topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel against adult cat flea Ctenocephalides felis and flea egg production in cats

Esafoxolaner, a purified enantiomer of afoxolaner with insecticidal and acaricidal properties, is combined with eprinomectin and praziquantel in NexGard® Combo, a novel topical endectoparasiticide formulation for cats. The efficacy of this novel formulation against adult and immature stages of Ctenocephalides felis fleas was tested in four experimental studies. Two studies were designed to test adulticide efficacy, one to test inhibition of immature stages, and one to test both adulticide efficacy and inhibition of immature stages. In each study, cats were randomly allocated to a placebo control group or to a novel formulation group treated once at the minimum recommended dose. Cats were experimentally infested weekly for one to two months with unfed C. felis originating from North America or Europe. For adulticide efficacy evaluations, live fleas were counted 24 h after treatment and after subsequent weekly infestations. For immature stages, flea eggs were collected and counted weekly for evaluation of egg production inhibition and incubated for larval hatching evaluation. In the three studies testing adult fleas, curative efficacies, 24 h after treatment, were 92.1%, 98.3% and 99.7%; preventive weekly efficacies, 24 h after weekly infestations, remained higher than 95.5% for at least one month. In the two studies testing immature stages, egg production and larval hatching was significantly reduced for at least one month. These studies provide robust evidence of efficacy of the novel formulation against experimental adult flea infestations and for the prevention of environmental contamination by immature flea stages, for at least one month.

Epizootic Situation of Feline Bartonella Infection in Eastern Poland

Introduction

The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in cats in eastern Poland, and to determine the factors associated with the infection.

Material and Methods

PCRs were performed to detect Bartonella DNA in the whole blood of 672 cats from four regions in eastern Poland (the Lublin, Podlasie, Masovian, and Subcarpathian provinces). The association between the previously selected variables and the dependent variable (presence of Bartonella DNA) was investigated using a logistic regression model.

Results

The overall prevalence of infection was 40.48%. All PCR positive cats were infected with B. henselae. The living conditions of the animals (free outdoor roaming), mixed breed cats, Subcarpathian region, and absence of tick control were significant risk factors associated with Bartonella infection at a 95% confidence level.

Conclusion

Cats in eastern Poland appear to be at risk of a bartonellosis epizootic. Factors which seem to impact the likelihood of infection in cats and factors which seem not to impact it have been suggested. We advocate additional research into the ways bartonellosis spreads, its geographical scope, and the factors that favour its development.

Hepatosplenic abscesses in an immunocompetent child with cat-scratch disease from Peru

BACKGROUND

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a zoonotic infection caused by Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae. The typical manifestations of CSD include regional lymphadenitis and fever. However, CSD can have a wide variety of clinical manifestations that can lead to incorrect diagnoses and prolonged hospital stays.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a 3-year-old boy admitted to the pediatric service due to prolonged fever and abdominal pain. He received empirical antimicrobial treatment due to suspicion of infection. Abdominal ultrasound showed hepatosplenic abscesses. An IFA detected the presence of IgG antibodies against B. henselae (1:256). Patient was successfully treated with azithromycin and discharged after 7 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatosplenic abscesses in CSD are rarely reported, particularly in immunocompetent children, with this, only 36 cases in PubMed, Web of Sciences and Scopus bibliographical databases. High rate of suspicion and serological tests availability are of utmost importance in order to detect it and treat it successfully and promptly.