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Hughes L, Visser S, Heddema E, de Smet N, Linssen T, Wijdh RJ, Huis in ’t Veld R. Zoonotic transmission of Chlamydia felis from domestic cats; A case series of chronic follicular conjunctivitis in humans. New Microbes New Infect 2024; 59:101412. [PMID: 38660577 PMCID: PMC11040131 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2024.101412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
We present three cases of chronic follicular conjunctivitis resulting from the zoonotic transmission of Chlamydia felis from domestic cats. Our objective is to raise awareness regarding the potential zoonotic transmission of Chlamydia felis from domestic cats and describe the methodology for definitive pathogen identification using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and subsequent sequence analysis, a useful tool in the identification of these rare pathogens. We discuss the factors that could be contributing to the potential under-diagnosis of zoonotic C. felis infections and propose a treatment regime for cases of C. felis-related conjunctivitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hughes
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Stijn Visser
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Ophthalmology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Edou Heddema
- Zuyderland Medical Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicole de Smet
- Zuyderland-Eyescan BV, Department of Ophthalmology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Linssen
- Huisartsenpraktijk Urmond, Urmond, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Jan Wijdh
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Ophthalmology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Huis in ’t Veld
- University Medical Centre Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Kennedy U, Paterson M, Clark N. Epidemiological insights into the burden of feline upper respiratory tract infections in Queensland RSPCA shelters. Aust Vet J 2024; 102:87-95. [PMID: 38044317 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Feline upper respiratory tract infection (FURTI) is a severe problem in animal shelters where there is high turnover of populations and compromised immunity. This retrospective cohort study explores associations of potential animal-based and environmental-based factors with the risk of FURTI, where a previously modelled infection classification is used as the outcome of interest. The study type is a retrospective cohort and the measures of association include Odds Ratios and conditional predictions. OBJECTIVES To gain epidemiological insights into variation in FURTI using retrospective data from one of Australia's leading animal shelters. METHODS We stratified FURTI by admission and environmental variables. Predicted infection status, obtained using a machine-learning classifier trained on clinical text (accuracy 0.95 [CI 0.92, 0.97]), was used as the outcome of interest. Prior assumptions were represented by a causal framework or a direct acyclic graph (DAG), which informed creation of multiple Bernoulli models with an observational and prior component. RESULTS We analysed 43,431 feline entries over 8 years. Males were 1.24 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.31) times more likely than females to be classified as positive, while already desexed animals were only 0.68 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.72) as likely to be classified as positive compared to those not desexed on entry. Cats (>4 months) were twice as likely (95% CI 1.91 to 2.09) as kittens (0-4 months) to be classified positive. Animals entering the shelter as seized by the inspectorate (n = 415) were more likely to be classified positive compared to animals from other sources. Predicted infection probability increased in winter and showed a linear pattern with how full the shelter was. CONCLUSION This study estimates the association between animal and environmental variables of interest and FURTI classification status, thus better interpreting the distribution of disease as predicted by a previously uninterpretable model. This analysis gives much needed insight into the types of changes in an animal's environment that can impact final animal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Kennedy
- UQ School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- RSPCA Queensland, Wacol, Queensland, Australia
| | - M Paterson
- UQ School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
- RSPCA Queensland, Wacol, Queensland, Australia
| | - N Clark
- UQ School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
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Chan I, Dowsey A, Lait P, Tasker S, Blackwell E, Helps CR, Barker EN. Prevalence and risk factors for common respiratory pathogens within a cohort of pet cats in the UK. J Small Anim Pract 2023; 64:552-560. [PMID: 37248773 PMCID: PMC10953343 DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Feline herpesvirus (FHV), feline calicivirus (FCV) and Chlamydia felis are common causes of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in cats. Their prevalence in the UK pet cat population has not been reported and little is known regarding the risk factors for their oral carriage. METHODS Total nucleic acid was extracted from owner-collected buccal swabs (n=600) from cats enrolled in a self-selected longitudinal cohort study. Duplex quantitative PCRs for the detection of FHV and C. felis genomic DNA and reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCRs for the detection of FCV genomic RNA were performed. Duplicates, swabs with insufficient host DNA/RNA, and cats with missing data were excluded. Selected epidemiological data were interrogated using univariable and multi-variable logistic regression modelling to identify risk factors. RESULTS Data from 430 cats were included in the final statistical model. Of these, 2.1% (n=9/430; 95% CI 1.0% to 3.9%) were positive for FHV, 13.3% (n=57/430; 95% CI 10.2% to 16.8%) positive for FCV and 1.2% (n=5/430; 95% CI 0.4% to 2.7%) positive for C. felis. FCV co-infection was present in five (44%) FHV-positive cats and three (60%) C. felis-positive cats. FCV carriage was more frequent in purebred cats (odds ratio 2.48; 95% CI 1.37 to 4.49) and in cats with current or historical clinical signs compatible with URTD (odds ratio 2.98; 95% CI 1.22 to 7.27). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE FCV was the most frequently encountered URTD pathogen in this sample of cats; this should be noted for disinfectant choice. In cats suspected of having FHV or C. felis infection, assessment for co-infection with FCV is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Chan
- Internal MedicineSmall Animal Specialist HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Bristol Veterinary SchoolUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
| | - A. Dowsey
- Bristol Veterinary SchoolUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
| | - P. Lait
- Bristol Veterinary SchoolUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
| | - S. Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary SchoolUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
- The Linnaeus Medical TeamLinnaeus GroupSolihullUK
| | - E. Blackwell
- Bristol Veterinary SchoolUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
| | - C. R. Helps
- Bristol Veterinary SchoolUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
- Langford VetsUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
| | - E. N. Barker
- Bristol Veterinary SchoolUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
- Langford VetsUniversity of BristolLangfordUK
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Wu XJ, Gao J, Zhang Q, Li CX, Zheng WB, Liu Q, Zhu XQ, Lei YP, Gao WW. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Chlamydia Infection in Cattle in Shanxi Province, North China. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020252. [PMID: 36670792 PMCID: PMC9854887 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The information on Chlamydia infection in cattle is limited in Shanxi Province, north China. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia and Chlamydia abortus infection in cattle in Shanxi Province. In November 2020, a large-scale investigation of Chlamydia seroprevalence was conducted on 981 cattle serum samples collected from 40 cattle farms in 11 cities of Shanxi Province. The seroprevalence of Chlamydia and C. abortus was examined by indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The seroprevalence of Chlamydia and C. abortus was 52.29% (513/981) and 2.96% (29/981), respectively, in cattle in Shanxi Province. Location was identified as a risk factor for Chlamydia and C. abortus infection (p < 0.05). Under different management patterns, the seroprevalence of Chlamydia and C. abortus in large-scale animal farming companies was higher than that in household animal farms and animal farming cooperatives, and only the seroprevalence of Chlamydia was significantly different in different management patterns (p < 0.01). The results showed that there was higher seroprevalence of Chlamydia in cattle in Shanxi Province, while C. abortus was not the dominant species. This study provided baseline information on Chlamydia infection in cattle in Shanxi Province, which constitutes valuable data for monitoring livestock health and preventing potential zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jing Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - Jin Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - Chen-Xu Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - Wen-Bin Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - Qing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Higher Education of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yu-Ping Lei
- Veterinary Laboratory, Shanxi Provincial Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Taiyuan 030008, China
- Correspondence: (Y.-P.L.); (W.-W.G.)
| | - Wen-Wei Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
- Correspondence: (Y.-P.L.); (W.-W.G.)
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Maggi RG, Halls V, Krämer F, Lappin M, Pennisi MG, Peregrine AS, Roura X, Schunack B, Scorza V, Tasker S, Baneth G, Bourdeau P, Bowman DD, Breitschwerdt EB, Capelli G, Cardoso L, Dantas-Torres F, Dobler G, Ferrer L, Gradoni L, Irwin P, Jongejan F, Kempf VAJ, Kohn B, Little S, Madder M, Maia C, Marcondes M, Miró G, Naucke T, Oliva G, Otranto D, Penzhorn BL, Pfeffer M, Sainz Á, Shin S, Solano-Gallego L, Straubinger RK, Traub R, Wright I. Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:415. [DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractLarge populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat’s lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats. In this article, we discuss the issue of relocation and homing of unowned cats from a global perspective. We also review zoonotic and non-zoonotic infectious agents of cats and give a list of practical recommendations for veterinary team professionals dealing with homing cats. Finally, we present a consensus statement consolidated at the 15th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum in 2020, ultimately to help veterinary team professionals understand the problem and the role they have in helping to prevent and manage vector-borne and other pathogens in relocated cats.
Graphical Abstract
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Tîrziu A, Herman V, Imre K, Degi DM, Boldea M, Florin V, Bochiș TA, Adela M, Degi J. Occurrence of Chlamydia spp. in Conjunctival Samples of Stray Cats in Timișoara Municipality, Western Romania. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10112187. [PMID: 36363779 PMCID: PMC9693150 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the widespread public health concern about stray cats serving as reservoirs for zoonotic agents, little is known about the effect of urban and peri-urban landscapes on exposure risk. We conducted this study to monitor the presence of Chlamydia spp. in stray cats, with or without conjunctivitis, living in Timișoara Municipality, Western Romania, using staining and PCR methods. A total of 95 cats were enrolled, and conjunctival samples were harvested from 68 clinically healthy cats and another 27 cats presenting with clinical signs of conjunctivitis. Overall, we found that 65.3% (62/95) of the cats tested positive for Chlamydia spp. by PCR. Chlamydia spp. were detected in 45/95 conjunctival samples using a standard Giemsa stain, compared with 62/95 using PCR (Cohen’s kappa index = 0.308; p = 0.0640). Of the cats that tested positive by PCR, 72.6% (45/62) were asymptomatic, and another 27.4% (17/62) expressed clinical signs of conjunctivitis. We found no significant difference between (p > 0.05) the distribution of infection and the recorded epidemiological data (sex, breed, age, territorial distribution, or sampling season). However, the Chlamydia spp. detection frequency was significantly higher in asymptomatic than in symptomatic cats (p = 0.0383). The obtained results increase the level of concern and awareness about the possible zoonotic potential of this pathogen and highlight that urban stray cats can be essential sources of feline chlamydiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Tîrziu
- Ophthalmology Department, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Piața Eftimiu Murgu No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Viorel Herman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Kálmán Imre
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Diana Maria Degi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marius Boldea
- Department of Exact Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Vlad Florin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Timea Andrea Bochiș
- Department of Semiology—Preclinical I, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Marcu Adela
- Department of Animal Production Engineering, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Recourses, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - János Degi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Science “King Michael I” from Timișoara, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence:
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Calver MC, Crawford HM, Scarff FR, Bradley JS, Dormon P, Boston S, Fleming PA. Intensive Adoption as a Management Strategy for Unowned, Urban Cats: A Case Study of 25 Years of Trap-Assess-Resolve (TAR) in Auckland, New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172301. [PMID: 36078020 PMCID: PMC9454951 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, unowned urban cats are a major concern because they may suffer from poor welfare and cause problems, including public health risks, nuisances, and urban wildlife predation. While management options are often presented as a choice between culling or trap−neuter−return (TNR), for 25 years, the Lonely Miaow (Inc.) charity in Auckland, New Zealand (hereafter LM), has used a third strategy—intensive adoption or trap−assess−resolve (TAR). As of 2019, of 14,611 unowned cats trapped, 64.2% were adopted, 22.2% were euthanized if unsocialised or in grave ill-health, 5.7% were neutered and returned to the site, and 7.9% had other outcomes, such as being transferred to other shelters. Adoption rates increased over this time, exceeding 80.0% in 2018 and 2019. The cost of processing each cat from capture to adoption rose from NZD 58 in 1999 to NZD 234 by 2017. Approximately 80% of colonies (sites where cats were trapped) were around residential areas. Approximately 22% of cats required veterinary treatment after capture; common ailments included respiratory infections, ringworm, dental problems, and trauma. Consistently, 52% of cats were young kittens (<10 weeks old), c. 80% of cats were <1 year old, and only c. 2% were estimated to be >5 years old. TAR avoids euthanasia where possible. Its effectiveness would be enhanced by fewer abandonments of owned cats and kittens, fitting within integrated strategies for the control of unowned cats involving community education. Cat adoptions improve the welfare of cats and, with appropriate husbandry, should alleviate concerns about nuisances, public health, and attacks on wildlife or the cats themselves, essentially benefitting the community and the cats. This case study is relevant to other cities around the world that are seeking to manage unowned cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Calver
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Heather M. Crawford
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Fiona R. Scarff
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - J. Stuart Bradley
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Peter Dormon
- Lonely Miaow Association, Lonely Miaow Association, 35a, Riddell Road, Glendowie, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
| | - Samantha Boston
- Lonely Miaow Association, Lonely Miaow Association, 35a, Riddell Road, Glendowie, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
| | - Patricia A. Fleming
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
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Candela MG, Fanelli A, Carvalho J, Serrano E, Domenech G, Alonso F, Martínez-Carrasco C. Urban landscape and infection risk in free-roaming cats. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:295-311. [PMID: 35129882 PMCID: PMC9304129 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite public concern on the role of free‐roaming cats as reservoirs of zoonotic agents, little is known about the influence of urban and peri‐urban landscapes on the exposure risk. We evaluated the seroprevalence of three zoonotic agents (Chlamydia felis, Coxiella burnetii and Toxoplasma gondii) in domestic cats (Felis catus). Two hundred and ninety‐one free‐roaming cats were trapped in Murcia municipality (Southeast Spain), and their sera were tested for specific antibodies against T. gondii using a modified agglutination test (MAT), and for C. felis, C. burnetii and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies with ELISA technique. Pathogen seroprevalence at 95% CI was calculated for each sex and age category (up to and over 12 months) and compared with a chi‐squared test. The role of human population density and urban landscape characteristics on the risk of pathogen exposure in the cat population was explored using generalized linear models. Seropositivity against a single pathogen was found in 60% of the cats, while 19% was seropositive for two or three pathogens. Seroprevalence of C. felis was 8% (CI95%: 5–11), 37% (CI95%: 31–42) for C. burnetii and 42% (CI95%: 36–47) for T. gondii. In addition to these three pathogens, FIV seropositivity was low (1%, CI95%: −0.1 to 2) and adult cats were more likely to be seropositive to C. burnetii than young individuals (OR: 2.3, CI95%: 1.2–4.2). No sex or age class differences in seroprevalence were observed for the rest of the pathogens. Seropositivity was correlated with water surface areas for C. felis, and not with crop areas. Coxiella burnetii seropositivity was correlated with the percentage of urban areas (continuous with only buildings and discontinuous, that include buildings, parks, and pedestrian and urban green areas), human population size and peri‐urban areas with shrubs, and not correlated with other agricultural landscapes (orchards and crop areas). However, the seroprevalence of T. gondii was only associated with agricultural landscapes such as orchards. The detection of hotspot areas of high pathogen exposure risk is the basis for municipal services to implement surveillance and risk factor control campaigns in specific‐risk areas, including (a) efficient health management of urban cat colonies by geographical location, population census and health status monitoring of the components of each cat colony, (b) improvement of hygiene and sanitary conditions at the feeding points of the cat colony and (c) free‐roaming cat trapping for health monitoring and, in the long term, to know the evolution of the health status of their populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica G Candela
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Angela Fanelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - João Carvalho
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Emmanuel Serrano
- Wildlife Ecology & Health group (WE&H) and Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francisco Alonso
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Occurrence of Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydia felis pmp9 Typing in Conjunctival and Rectal Samples of Swiss Stray and Pet Cats. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080951. [PMID: 34451415 PMCID: PMC8400119 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia (C.) felis primarily replicates in feline conjunctival epithelial cells and is an important cause of conjunctivitis in cats. Data on C. felis infection rates in stray cats in Switzerland has been missing so far. We performed a qPCR-based Chlamydiaceae-screening on 565 conjunctival and 387 rectal samples from 309 stray and 86 pet cats followed by Chlamydia species identification and C. felis typing using the gene pmp9, which encodes a polymorphic membrane protein. Overall, 19.1% of the stray and 11.6% of the pet cats were Chlamydiaceae-positive with significantly higher rates in cats displaying signs of conjunctivitis (37.1%) compared to healthy animals (6.9%). Rectal shedding of Chlamydiaceae occurred in 25.0% of infected cats and was mostly associated with concurrent ocular positivity (87.5%). In 92.2% of positive conjunctival and rectal samples, the Chlamydia species was identified as C. felis and in 2.6% as C. abortus. The C. felis pmp9 gene was very conserved in the sampled population with only one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in one conjunctival sample. In conclusion, C. felis strains are circulating in Swiss cats, are associated with conjunctivitis, have a low pmp9 genetic variability, and are rectally shed in about 16% of positive cases.
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Ravindranath BS, Vishnu Vinayak S, Chandra Mohan V. RNR inhibitor binding studies of Chlamydia felis: insights from in silico molecular modeling, docking, and simulation studies. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:9416-9428. [PMID: 34032189 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1930160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia felis is the primary cause of chronic conjunctivitis without respiratory infections in cats, making conjunctiva as its primary target. It is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that cannot survive outside the host cell. C. felis can be found worldwide and its zoonotic potential is a known phenomenon. The scope of zoonoses, its scale, and their impact experiencing today has no historical precedence. Among the identified 1415 human pathogens 868 have a zoonotic origin making it to 61%. Although with appropriate drug administration there are instances of re-occurrence of chlamydial infections, the emergence of heterotypic antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics targeting rRNA due to mutations has further complicated the diagnosis and treatment of chlamydial infections. Ribonucleotide-diphosphate reductase subunit beta (RNR) is one of the crucial target proteins of the bacterial pathogens essential in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. Our current study primarily focuses on modeling the target structure through homology modeling. Further, the validated model is complexed with the specific inhibitor Cladribine through sequence-based ligand search. Docking of the identified ligand was performed to identify the different modes of interactions with amino acids present in the prioritized binding pockets. Validation of the binding modes is carried out through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the best binding pose with a high binding score. MD simulation study demonstrated the stability of the docked complex considered in this study. The findings from this study may be helpful in drug repurposing and novel drug research in the scenario of resistance to currently practiced antibiotics.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S Ravindranath
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - S Vishnu Vinayak
- Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Vivek Chandra Mohan
- Department of Biotechnology, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur, Karnataka, India
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Iatta R, Natale A, Ravagnan S, Mendoza-Roldan J, Zatelli A, Cavalera MA, Nachum-Biala Y, Baneth G, Otranto D. Zoonotic and vector-borne pathogens in tigers from a wildlife safari park, Italy. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 12:1-7. [PMID: 32280584 PMCID: PMC7139133 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases by pathogens, including those of zoonotic concern, may act as a primary or contributory cause of threat to wildlife conservation and may represent a risk for human health, mainly for people working at, or visiting the zoological parks. Given the paucity of data on pathogens infecting wild tigers, we investigated the occurrence of infectious agents in this animal species, with a special focus on those of zoonotic concern. Blood and serum samples from tigers (n = 20) living in a wildlife safari park of southern Italy were screened by serological and molecular tests. All animals scored positive for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (100%), whereas they displayed different prevalence of seropositivity for Rickettsia conorii (30%), Bartonella henselae (15%) and Leptospira interrogans sv Icterohaemorrhagiae and/or Leptospira kirschneri sv Grippotyphosa (15%). No antibodies against Coxiella burnetii were detected. In addition, 8 tigers (40%) tested molecularly positive to "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum", and 3 (15%) to Hepatozoon canis. No DNA of R. conorii, Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. and piroplasmids was amplified. The occurrence of tiger infections by bacteria and parasites may represent a risk for morbidity and, in some circumstances, mortality in this endangered species and a source of infection for other animals, including humans. These findings indicate that the circulation of zoonotic pathogens such as T. gondii, R. conorii, L. interrogans sv Icterohaemorrhagiae, "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum" and B. henselae in given environments may represent a relevant health issue considering the close association among animals and humans visiting, or working at, the wildlife safari park. Preventative measures are advocated in order to control ectoparasites and other sources of infection (e.g., small rodents), thus for minimizing the risk of infection for animals as well as for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Alda Natale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Silvia Ravagnan
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Zatelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Yaarit Nachum-Biala
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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