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Spada E, Castelli G, Bruno F, Vitale F, La Russa F, Biondi V, Accettulli S, Migliazzo A, Rossi A, Perego R, Baggiani L, Proverbio D. FeliLeish: An Update on Feline Leishmaniosis and Factors Associated with Infection in Different Feline Populations from Italy. Pathogens 2023; 12:1351. [PMID: 38003815 PMCID: PMC10674793 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline leishmaniosis is a worldwide infection caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania transmitted by sandflies. Based on the complexity of epidemiology and diagnosis of this infection, the role of cats in the epidemiology and clinical impact of disease is still under debate. By using serological and molecular methods, this study aimed to update the epidemiology of the infection in different feline populations from various areas of Italy and to study factors associated with the infection. Of 1490 cats tested, 124 (8.3%, 95% CI 6.9-9.9) were infected, 96 had only specific L. infantum IgG, 18 were only positive for parasite DNA and 10 were both IFAT and qPCR positive. Risk factors for infection were sampling in the winter season (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 2.2-4.8), originating from the Sicily region (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.0), male gender (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.2), outdoor lifestyle (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 0.9-5.6) and seropositivity for FIV antibodies (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.2), while sampling in the spring (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7) and summer (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7), and originating from the Lazio region (OR = 0.1, 95% CI 0.05-0.4) were protective factors for infection. In endemic areas, Leishmania infection should be investigated by using both serological and molecular methods and cats should be protected from sandfly bites, particularly if they are FIV infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Spada
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy (L.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Germano Castelli
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (F.B.); (F.V.); (F.L.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Federica Bruno
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (F.B.); (F.V.); (F.L.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (F.B.); (F.V.); (F.L.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Francesco La Russa
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (F.B.); (F.V.); (F.L.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Vito Biondi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo SS. Annunziata, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sara Accettulli
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, Via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (G.C.); (F.B.); (F.V.); (F.L.R.); (S.A.)
| | - Antonella Migliazzo
- Dipartimento di Prevenzione UOC Sanità Animale, Igiene degli Allevamenti e delle Produzioni Zootecniche, ASL Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy;
| | - Aurora Rossi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy (L.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Roberta Perego
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy (L.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Luciana Baggiani
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy (L.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Daniela Proverbio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy (L.B.); (D.P.)
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Alves-Martin MF, Bertozzo TV, Aires IN, Manzini S, Paixão-Marques MDS, Guiraldi LM, dos Santos WJ, Sánchez GP, Curci VCLM, Richini-Pereira VB, Lucheis SB. Detection of Leishmania spp. in Cats: Analysis of Nasal, Oral and Conjunctival Swabs by PCR and HRM. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2468. [PMID: 37570277 PMCID: PMC10417458 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152468] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Feline leishmaniasis (FeL) is caused by several species of parasites of the genus Leishmania. The disease can occur with the presence or absence of clinical signs, similar to those observed in other common infectious diseases. In endemic regions for FeL, the infection has been associated with dermatological lesions. Therefore, considering the search for less invasive and more effective diagnostic techniques, we aimed to investigate the presence of Leishmania spp. in domestic cats through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and high-resolution melting (HRM) analyses of conjunctival, oral, and nasal epithelial cells, and we detected the presence of anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies from serological techniques of the Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and ELISA. METHODS The PCR and HRM for detection of Leishmania spp. were performed on 36 samples of epithelial cells from the conjunctiva of male and female cats, collected using sterile swabs. The serological tests IFAT and ELISA were also performed. RESULTS The prevalence of Leishmania donovani infection was 11.1% (4/36) by PCR assay, and those results were confirmed for Leishmania species using the HRM technique. Twenty-four cats (24/36 = 66.7%) were reactive to the IFAT and twenty-two cats were reactive by the ELISA technique (22/36 = 61.1%). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS The use of conjunctival swabs was shown to be a non-invasive, practical, and easy-to-perform technique, and in addition to the genetic sequencing and HRM, it was able to identify the parasitic DNA of L. donovani in cats. This technique can be used for screening diagnosis in future epidemiological surveys of FeL and can be used as a complement to clinical and/or serological tests, as well as associating the clinical history of the animal, for the diagnostic conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fernanda Alves-Martin
- Department of Biology and Animal Science, School of Engineering, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira 15385-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Thainá Valente Bertozzo
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18603-560, SP, Brazil; (T.V.B.); (I.N.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Isabella Neves Aires
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18603-560, SP, Brazil; (T.V.B.); (I.N.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Suzane Manzini
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18603-560, SP, Brazil; (T.V.B.); (I.N.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Mirian dos Santos Paixão-Marques
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18603-560, SP, Brazil; (T.V.B.); (I.N.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Lívia Maísa Guiraldi
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18603-560, SP, Brazil; (T.V.B.); (I.N.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Wesley José dos Santos
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18603-560, SP, Brazil; (T.V.B.); (I.N.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Gabriela Pacheco Sánchez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine (UCI), Irvine, CA 92697-2525, USA;
| | | | | | - Simone Baldini Lucheis
- Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18603-560, SP, Brazil; (T.V.B.); (I.N.A.); (S.M.)
- Department of Animal Production and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-681, SP, Brazil
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Aguiar DCF, Nascimento DDNDS, Penner DF, de Castro BDSL, Virgolino RR, Neves AMP, Siqueira ADS, Gonçalves EC. First molecular detection of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi in a domestic cat ( Felis catus) from an urban area in eastern Amazon. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2023; 29:e20220048. [PMID: 37223440 PMCID: PMC10202461 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2022-0048] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Domestic cats have been implicated as accidental hosts of Leishmania sp. However, in recent years, the recurrent description of new cases in endemic and nonendemic areas draw attention to the potential epidemiological role of cats as reservoir hosts. Although dogs are considered urban reservoirs, cats could act as a secondary natural reservoirs in these areas. Thus, feline leishmaniasis has become an emerging disease in several countries worldwide. Case presentation This study aimed to describe the first case of feline leishmaniasis in a stray animal that presented lesions compatible with the disease in Belém, Pará, Brazil, an important urban area in eastern Amazon. Serological tests for Leishmania infantum (ELISA and IFA) were nonreactive, whereas histopathological examination indicated infectious dermatitis caused by Leishmania spp. or Toxoplasma gondii. Cytopathological study of lesion aspirate confirmed the presence of Leishmania sp. amastigotes within macrophages. Finally, molecular analyses revealed that the feline infection was caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi. Conclusion To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study reports the first case of natural infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi in a feline from eastern Amazon. These findings suggest domestic cats as potential secondary reservoir hosts of Leishmania spp. in Belém, which reinforces the importance of further epidemiological investigation of feline leishmaniasis, especially in urban areas with human cases.
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Priolo V, Martínez-Orellana P, Pennisi MG, Raya-Bermúdez AI, Jurado-Tarifa E, Masucci M, Donato G, Bruno F, Castelli G, Solano-Gallego L. Leishmania infantum Specific Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses in Cats and Dogs: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9090482. [PMID: 36136697 PMCID: PMC9505219 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9090482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs are the main reservoir of Leishmania infantum and display different immunological patterns correlating with the progression of infection to disease. Data about feline L. infantum adaptive immune response are scant. This study aimed to compare the prevalence and immune response in cats and dogs from the same endemic area of canine leishmaniosis. Stray cats (109) and rescued dogs (59) from Córdoba (Spain) were enrolled. Data about their exposure to L. infantum were analyzed by detection of parasite DNA, measurements of Leishmania-specific interferon-γ (whole blood assay in 57 cats and 29 dogs), and antibodies (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence antibody test). An overall L. infantum prevalence of 30.5% in dogs and 30% in cats were found according to serology and PCR tests. Prevalence was 44.8% in dogs and 35.1% in cats tested also for interferon-γ production. Dogs showed higher anti-L. infantum antibody levels compared to cats. More than one-third of cats had contact with or were infected by L. infantum and they may contribute to the endemicity of leishmaniosis in the investigated region. The immunopathogenesis of feline L. infantum infection has similarities with dogs but cats show a lower level of adaptive immune response compared to dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Priolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Pamela Martínez-Orellana
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Ana Isabel Raya-Bermúdez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Estefania Jurado-Tarifa
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Marisa Masucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giulia Donato
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Bruno
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Leishmaniosi (CReNaL), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Germano Castelli
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Leishmaniosi (CReNaL), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Garcia-Torres M, López MC, Tasker S, Lappin MR, Blasi-Brugué C, Roura X. Review and statistical analysis of clinical management of feline leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:253. [PMID: 35818075 PMCID: PMC9272864 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05369-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is limited information about feline leishmaniosis (FeL) management in clinical practice. Leishmania infantum is the species of Leishmania most frequently reported in both dogs and cats in countries of the Mediterranean region (henceforth ‘Mediterranean countries’), Central and South America, and Iran. This study was conducted to provide veterinary clinicians with an updated overview of evidence-based information on leishmaniosis in cats. Methods A review was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Case reports of FeL caused by L. infantum were sought for the period 1912 to 1 June 2021. Results Sixty-three case reports are included in this review. Fifty-nine out of the 63 cats were from Europe, mostly from Mediterranean countries (88.9%). Most of them were domestic short-haired cats (90%) with a mean age of 7.9 years, and had access to the outdoors (77.3%). Sixty-six percent of the cats had comorbidities, of which feline immunodeficiency virus infection was the most frequent (37.7%). Dermatological lesions (69.8%) was the most frequent clinical sign, and hyperproteinemia (46.3%) the most frequent clinicopathological abnormality. Serology was the most performed diagnostic method (76.2%) and was positive for 93.7% of cats. Medical treatment was applied in 71.4% of cats, and allopurinol was the most used drug (74.4%). Survival time was greater for treated cats (520 days; 71.4% of cats) than non-treated cats (210 days; 25.4%). Conclusions The majority of the cats had comorbidities, of which feline immunodeficiency virus was the most frequent. Dermatological lesions were frequently reported, and systemic clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities were also common. Serology may be useful for the diagnosis of FeL in clinical practice, and a positive titer of ≥ 1/40 may be a useful cut-off for sick cats. The reported treatments and dosages varied, but there was a good clinical response and longer survival in most of the cats treated with allopurinol monotherapy. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Garcia-Torres
- Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, UK.,Linnaeus Veterinary Limited, Shirley, Solihull, UK
| | - Michael Rex Lappin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Carles Blasi-Brugué
- Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Roura
- Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Priolo V, Masucci M, Donato G, Solano-Gallego L, Martínez-Orellana P, Persichetti MF, Raya-Bermúdez A, Vitale F, Pennisi MG. Association between feline immunodeficiency virus and Leishmania infantum infections in cats: a retrospective matched case-control study. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:107. [PMID: 35534884 PMCID: PMC9084934 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05230-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is often associated with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection; however, the role and clinical significance of this coinfection remain unknown. This study aimed to assess whether FIV is associated with L. infantum infection in cats from canine leishmaniosis endemic areas and to report the clinical signs and hematological alterations associated with coinfection. METHODS A retrospective matched case-control study (ratio 1:2) was conducted. Data of clinical examination and complete blood count (CBC) were selected from a cohort of 705 cats examined for epidemiological studies on feline leishmaniosis conducted between 2012 and 2019. Ninety-one FIV seropositive cases and 182 FIV seronegative control cats were selected. Matching was done according to age, sex, lifestyle and geographic provenience of case cats. Rapid ELISA devices were mainly used to detect anti-FIV antibodies. Anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies were detected by indirect-immunofluorescence test (IFAT). Leishmania DNA was searched in blood, oral and conjunctival swabs by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Feline immunodeficiency virus seropositive cats had no hematological abnormalities suggestive of an advanced stage of FIV infection and were statistically more frequently IFAT positive, and their risk of being L. infantum antibody positive was 2.8 greater than in the FIV seronegatives. The association of FIV seropositivity with L. infantum antibody positivity was confirmed in the univariable model of logistic regression. A multivariate model found FIV infection and L. infantum PCR positivity as predictors of a positive L. infantum IFAT result. Male outdoor cats from rural or suburban areas were at risk for FIV and L. infantum antibody positivity. Clinical signs more frequently associated with the coinfection were oral lesions, pale mucous membranes and low body condition score (BCS). CONCLUSIONS This study documents that FIV seropositive cats with no hematological abnormalities suggestive of an advanced stage of FIV infection are more prone to be L. infantum seroreactive by IFAT in endemic areas. Therefore, FIV seropositive cats should be tested for L. infantum antibodies and treated for preventing sand fly bites. Pale mucous membranes, low BCS and oral lesions but no CBC abnormalities were significantly associated with the coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Priolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marisa Masucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giulia Donato
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pamela Martínez-Orellana
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ana Raya-Bermúdez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Rabanales, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Leishmaniosi (CReNaL), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
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Elmahallawy EK, Zanet S, Poggi M, Alsharif KF, Agil A, Trisciuoglio A, Ferroglio E. Feline Leishmaniosis in Northwestern Italy: Current Status and Zoonotic Implications. Vet Sci 2021; 8:215. [PMID: 34679045 PMCID: PMC8539510 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8100215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis remains one of the major neglected tropical diseases. The epidemiological profile of the disease comprises a wide range of hosts, including dogs and cats. Despite several studies about feline Leishmaniosis, the role of cats in disease epidemiology and its clinical impact is still debated. The present study raises awareness about the impact of leishmaniasis in cats from an endemic region in of Northwestern Italy (Liguria). A total number of 250 serum and 282 blood samples were collected from cats, then assessed for Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) serologically using western blot (WB) and molecularly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We also tested the association of Leishmania infection with some infectious agents like haemotropic Mycoplasma, Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) together with the hematobiochemical status of the examined animals. Interestingly, all tested animals were asymptomatic and out of 250 examined serum samples, 33 (13.20%) samples (confidence interval (CI) 95% 9.56-17.96%) were positive at WB for L. infantum, whereas of the 282 blood samples, 80 (28.36%) returned a positive PCR (CI 95% 23.43-33.89%). Furthermore, there was a statistical association between PCR positivity for L. infantum and some hematological parameters besides FIV infection as well as a direct significant correlation between Mycoplasma infection and WB positivity. Taken together, the present findings report high prevalence of L. infantum among cats, which reinforces the significance of such positive asymptomatic animals and confirms the very low humoral response in this species. In addition, the laboratory values provide evidence that infection by the parasite is linked to alteration of some hematological parameters and is correlated to some infectious agents. These data are of interest and suggest future research for accurate diagnosis of such zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18002 Granada, Spain;
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy; (S.Z.); (M.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Stefania Zanet
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy; (S.Z.); (M.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Marco Poggi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy; (S.Z.); (M.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Khalaf F. Alsharif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahmad Agil
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18002 Granada, Spain;
| | - Anna Trisciuoglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy; (S.Z.); (M.P.); (A.T.)
| | - Ezio Ferroglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 44, Grugliasco, 10095 Torino, Italy; (S.Z.); (M.P.); (A.T.)
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Spada E, Vitale F, Bruno F, Castelli G, Reale S, Perego R, Baggiani L, Proverbio D. 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 2021; 13:618. [PMID: 33916759 PMCID: PMC8066308 DOI: 10.3390/v13040618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Spada
- Laboratorio di Ricerca di Medicina Emotrasfusionale Veterinaria (REvLab), Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (L.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.V.); (F.B.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Federica Bruno
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.V.); (F.B.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Germano Castelli
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.V.); (F.B.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Stefano Reale
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per le Leishmaniosi (C.Re.Na.L), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) della Sicilia A. Mirri, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.V.); (F.B.); (G.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Roberta Perego
- Laboratorio di Ricerca di Medicina Emotrasfusionale Veterinaria (REvLab), Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (L.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Luciana Baggiani
- Laboratorio di Ricerca di Medicina Emotrasfusionale Veterinaria (REvLab), Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (L.B.); (D.P.)
| | - Daniela Proverbio
- Laboratorio di Ricerca di Medicina Emotrasfusionale Veterinaria (REvLab), Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (L.B.); (D.P.)
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9
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Alcover MM, Basurco A, Fernandez A, Riera C, Fisa R, Gonzalez A, Verde M, Garrido AM, Ruíz H, Yzuel A, Villanueva-Saz S. A cross-sectional study of Leishmania infantum infection in stray cats in the city of Zaragoza (Spain) using serology and PCR. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:178. [PMID: 33766113 PMCID: PMC7992781 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04682-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline leishmaniosis is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by Leishmania spp. Leishmania infection in dogs is prevalent in the Mediterranean basin, but in other animals, such as cats, it could also play a role in the epidemiology of the disease. Information on the geographical distribution and epidemiological features of L. infantum infection in cats is scarce, particularly in urban stray cats living in regions where canine leishmaniosis is endemic. As diagnosis can be challenging, combining different serological and molecular methods is a useful approach. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of infection of L. infantum in apparently healthy stray cats in an endemic region of Spain (Zaragoza city) using serological and molecular methods, and to compare the results of the different techniques. METHODS The prevalence of Leishmania infection was studied in stray cats captured in urban and peri-urban areas of Zaragoza. Blood was collected from each animal for serology and molecular analysis. Three serological methods, namely the immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot (WB), were used to detect L. infantum antibodies and a real-time PCR (qPCR) assay was used to detect L. infantum DNA. The results were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and Cohen's kappa statistic (κ) to assess the level of agreement between the diagnostic techniques. RESULTS Serological analysis of blood samples from 180 stray cats revealed 2.2% (4/179) Leishmania infection positivity by IFAT, 2.8% (5/179) by ELISA and 14.5% (26/179) by WB. Leishmania DNA was detected by qPCR in 5.6% (10/179) of the cats. Sixteen cats (8.9%) tested positive by only one serological technique and four tested positive by all three serological methods used. The overall rate of infected cats (calculated as the number of cats seropositive and/or qPCR positive) was 15.6%, and only two cats tested positive by all the diagnostic methods. A significant association was found between male cats and a positive qPCR result. Comparison of the techniques revealed a fair agreement in seropositivity between blood qPCR and IFAT (κ = 0.26), blood qPCR and ELISA (κ = 0.24), WB and ELISA (κ = 0.37) and WB and IFAT (κ = 0.40). The highest agreement between seropositive results was between IFAT and ELISA (κ = 0.89), and the lowest was between blood qPCR and WB (κ = 0.19). The prevalence of the feline leukemia virus antigen was 4.49% (8/178 cats) and that of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody was 6.74% (12/178), while co-infection with both retroviruses was observed in one female cat (1/178). Leishmania ELISA and IFAT seropositivity were statistically associated with FIV status by the chi-square test. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained in this study, using serological tests and qPCR, indicate the existence of L. infantum asymptomatic infection in apparently healthy stray cats in the city of Zaragoza, an endemic area in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Magdalena Alcover
- Departament de Biologia, Salut I Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Asier Basurco
- Laboratorio de Inmunopatología Clínica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernandez
- Laboratorio de Inmunopatología Clínica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Cristina Riera
- Departament de Biologia, Salut I Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Fisa
- Departament de Biologia, Salut I Medi Ambient, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Gonzalez
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maite Verde
- Laboratorio de Inmunopatología Clínica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana María Garrido
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Héctor Ruíz
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Andrés Yzuel
- Laboratorio de Inmunopatología Clínica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sergio Villanueva-Saz
- Laboratorio de Inmunopatología Clínica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. .,Departamento de Farmacología Y Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain.
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10
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Cardoso L, Schallig H, Persichetti MF, Pennisi MG. New Epidemiological Aspects of Animal Leishmaniosis in Europe: The Role of Vertebrate Hosts Other Than Dogs. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030307. [PMID: 33800782 PMCID: PMC8000700 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with Leishmania parasites can lead to severe disease in humans and dogs, which act as a reservoir in zoonotic transmission. An increasing number of reports suggest that leishmaniosis is not restricted to dogs, but also affects many other mammalian and avian species. Consequently, this expands the potential reservoir and is of great public and veterinary health concern. The present study reviews, based on a comprehensive search of scientific literature published from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2020, the currently available information on animal leishmaniosis in vertebrates in Europe, other than dogs and humans. This review provides an exhaustive list of mammals and birds in which infections with or exposure to Leishmania parasites have been detected in European countries. Most cases are reported from the Mediterranean region. Domestic animals, in particular cats, pose a concern because of close contact with humans. The wildlife reservoir is less likely to contribute to zoonotic transmission, with the exception of hares. This potentially large reservoir needs to be taken into account when developing control measures for zoonotic leishmaniosis. From a veterinary point of view, it is important that veterinarians are better aware of leishmaniosis and trained in its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Henk Schallig
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Experimental Parasitology Section, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Maria Flaminia Persichetti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.F.P.); (M.G.P.)
| | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (M.F.P.); (M.G.P.)
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11
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Schäfer I, Kohn B, Volkmann M, Müller E. Retrospective evaluation of vector-borne pathogens in cats living in Germany (2012-2020). Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:123. [PMID: 33632312 PMCID: PMC7905428 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04628-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Blood-feeding arthropods can transmit parasitic, bacterial, or viral pathogens to domestic animals and wildlife. Vector-borne infections are gaining significance because of increasing travel and import of pets from abroad as well as the changing climate in Europe. The main objective of this study was to assess the percentage of cats with positive test results for selected vector-borne pathogens in Germany and explore any possible association of such results with time spent abroad. Methods This retrospective study included test results from cats included in the “Feline Travel Profile” established by the LABOKLIN laboratory at the request of veterinarians in Germany between April 2012 and March 2020. This diagnostic panel includes the direct detection of Hepatozoon spp. and Dirofilaria spp. via PCR as well as indirect detection assays (IFAT) for Ehrlichia spp. and Leishmania spp. The panel was expanded to include an IFAT for Rickettsia spp. from July 2015 onwards. Results A total of 624 cats were tested using the “Feline Travel Profile.” Serum for indirect detection assays was available for all 624 cats; EDTA samples for direct detection methods were available from 618 cats. Positive test results were as follows: Ehrlichia spp. IFAT 73 out of 624 (12%), Leishmania spp. IFAT 22 out of 624 (4%), Hepatozoon spp. PCR 53 out of 618 (9%), Dirofilaria spp. PCR 1 out of 618 cats (0.2%), and Rickettsia spp. IFAT 52 out of 467 cats (11%) tested from July 2015 onwards. Three cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen before 2015. After testing for Rickettsia spp. was included in 2015, 19 cats had positive test results for more than one pathogen (Rickettsia spp. were involved in 14 out of these 19 cats). Conclusions At least one pathogen could be detected in 175 out of 624 cats (28%) via indirect and/or direct detection methods. Four percent had positive test results for more than one pathogen. These data emphasize the importance of considering the above-mentioned vector-borne infections as potential differential diagnoses in clinically symptomatic cats. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Schäfer
- LABOKLIN GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Kissingen, Germany. .,Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Barbara Kohn
- Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Volkmann
- Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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12
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Pereira A, Maia C. Leishmania infection in cats and feline leishmaniosis: An updated review with a proposal of a diagnosis algorithm and prevention guidelines. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2021; 1:100035. [PMID: 35284863 PMCID: PMC8906079 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted to vertebrates, including cats, through the bites of female phlebotomine sand flies. An increasing number of epidemiological and experimental studies concerning Leishmania infection in cats, as well as case reports of clinical leishmaniosis in these felids, have been published in recent years. In the present study, a comprehensive review was made by sourcing the National Library of Medicine resources to provide updated data on epidemiology, immunopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of feline leishmaniosis. Cats were found infected with Leishmania parasites worldwide, and feline leishmaniosis appears as an emergent disease mostly reported in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and in Brazil. Cats with impaired immunocompetence seem to have a higher risk to develop clinical disease. The main clinical and clinicopathological findings are dermatological lesions and hypergammaglobulinemia, respectively. Diagnosis of feline leishmaniosis remains a challenge for veterinarians, in part due to the lack of diagnosis support systems. For this reason, a diagnostic algorithm for clinical decision support is herein proposed. No evidence-based treatment protocols are currently available, and these remain empirically based. Control measures are limited and scarce. Thus, a set of prevention guidelines are herein suggested.
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13
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Morelli S, Colombo M, Dimzas D, Barlaam A, Traversa D, Di Cesare A, Russi I, Spoletini R, Paoletti B, Diakou A. Leishmania infantum Seroprevalence in Cats From Touristic Areas of Italy and Greece. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:616566. [PMID: 33363245 PMCID: PMC7759650 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.616566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniosis by Leishmania infantum is a major zoonotic Vector-Borne Disease (VBD) in terms of geographic distribution, pathogenicity and zoonotic potential. While dogs are the main reservoir of L. infantum, the infection in cats is poorly understood although increasingly reported from enzootic and non-enzootic areas. The Mediterranean basin is a key area for leishmaniosis and includes touristic spots that require continuous surveillance for VBDs in consideration of the growing tendency of tourists to travel with their pets. This study evaluated L. infantum seroprevalence in cats living in selected touristic localities of Italy and Greece. A total of 269 cat serum samples from three Sites i.e., 76, 40, and 153 from Adriatic Coast of Abruzzo, Italy (Site A), Giglio Island, Tuscany, Italy (Site B), and Mykonos Island, Greece (Site C), respectively, were included in the survey. Sera samples were subjected to an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay for the detection of anti-L. infantum specific IgG. Associations between possible risk factors and seropositivity to L. infantum were statistically evaluated. Antibodies against L. infantum were detected in eight out of 269 (3.0%) cats tested i.e., 4/76 (5.3%), 1/40 (2.5%), and 3/153 (2.0%), from sites A, B, and C, respectively. A statistical association between anti-L. infantum antibodies and cohabitation with dogs was shown. This study indicates that feline populations living in the examined Italian and Greek touristic areas are exposed to L. infantum and that they may contribute to the circulation of L. infantum, enhancing the risk of infection for dogs and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Dimitris Dimzas
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alessandra Barlaam
- Department of Sciences of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Ilaria Russi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Paoletti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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14
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Leonel JAF, Vioti G, Alves ML, Benassi JC, Silva DTD, Spada JCP, Ruiz VLDA, Starke-Buzetti WA, Soares RM, Oliveira TMFDS. Leishmaniasis in cat shelters: A serological, molecular and entomological study. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2013-2019. [PMID: 32162460 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An epidemiological Leishmania spp. and entomological Phlebotomine sandflies survey was performed in cat shelters at leishmaniasis endemic area of Brazil. Blood and conjunctival swab (CS) samples were collected from 94 cats in two animal protection shelters. These samples were subjected to serological tests using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and to molecular test by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, a Phlebotomine sandflies survey was performed in the same shelters. The analyses revealed a positivity of 31.91% (30/94) through ELISA and 29.79% (28/94) through IFAT. The two serological tests showed a positive association with perfect agreement (k = 0.925). None of the cats were positive by Leishmania spp. DNA. One Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis male was found in one of the cat shelters. The results and the implications of our findings are discussed below.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Augusto Franco Leonel
- Laboratory of Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
- Post-graduate program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Geovanna Vioti
- Laboratory of Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
- Post-graduate program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Maria Luana Alves
- Laboratory of Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
- Post-graduate program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Julia Cristina Benassi
- Laboratory of Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Diogo Tiago da Silva
- Laboratory of Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
- Post-graduate program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Pereira Spada
- Laboratory of Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
- Post-graduate program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Vera Letticie de Azevedo Ruiz
- Laboratory of Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Wilma Aparecida Starke-Buzetti
- Department of Biology and Animal Science, School of Engineering, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Ilha Solteira, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Martins Soares
- Post-graduate program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa Oliveira
- Laboratory of Applied Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
- Post-graduate program in Experimental Epidemiology Applied to Zoonoses, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
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15
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Costa-Val APD, Coura FM, Barbieri JDM, Diniz L, Sampaio A, Reis JKPD, Bueno BL, Gontijo CMF. Serological study of feline leishmaniasis and molecular detection of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis in cats (Felis catus). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e003520. [PMID: 32520088 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Blood samples and swabs from ocular conjunctiva and mouth were obtained from 64 cats. Of 64 serum samples, 19 were positive for Leishmania antibodies by ELISA (29.80%). Eight cats were positive by PCR (12.5%) in swab samples from mouth and/or ocular mucosa. Poor kappa agreement between serological and molecular results (k = 0.16) was obtained. From five positive PCR samples one was L. braziliensis and four were L. infantum. Phylogenetic analysis performed with the five isolates of Leishmania, showed that samples of L. infantum isolated from the cats were phylogenetically close to those isolated from domestic dogs in Brazil, while the L. braziliensis is very similar to the one described in humans in Venezuela. The study demonstrated that, despite high seropositivity for Leishmania in cats living in the study region, poor agreement between serological and molecular results indicate that positive serology is not indicative of Leishmania infection in cats. Parasite DNA can be detected in ocular conjunctiva and oral swabs from cats, indicating that such samples could be used for diagnosis. Results of phylogenetic analyzes show that L. infantum circulating in Brazil is capable of infecting different hosts, demonstrating the parasite's ability to overcome the interspecies barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriane Pimenta da Costa-Val
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Fernanda Morcatti Coura
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Instituto Federal de Minas Gerais - IFMG, Campus Bambuí, Bambuí, MG, Brasil
| | - Jonata de Melo Barbieri
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Luiza Diniz
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Agnes Sampaio
- Instituto Rene Rachou, Instituto René Rachou - Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Jenner Karlisson Pimenta Dos Reis
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Bruna Lopes Bueno
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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16
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Feline Leishmania spp . Infection in a Non-Endemic Area of Northern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10050817. [PMID: 32397321 PMCID: PMC7278790 DOI: 10.3390/ani10050817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is a parasitic disease of people and animals transmitted by sand fly vectors. Although dogs in south and central Italy are most affected, in recent decades feline leishmaniosis (FeL) has become an emerging disease. This study aimed to update information on the presence of FeL in stray cats in Milan, in northern Italy; to compare these results with previous studies performed in the same area; and to report aspects of Leishmania infection in cats. A total of 117 stray cats were included and 10 (8.6%) had L. infantum infection. The parasite was identified in popliteal lymph nodes in five cats and five had antibodies against L. infantum. Most infected cats were from a specific area of Milan. Increased gammaglobulins were seen in infected cats, which also had antibodies against the pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Chlamydophila felis, and Toxoplasma gondii. There was a high prevalence of FeL in the surveyed area of northern Italy. Further studies are needed to understand if these infected cats are being imported from other areas, or if there is a real Leishmania focus in Milan. Investigation of the presence of sand fly vectors in Milan would be useful. Abstract 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.
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Urbani L, Tirolo A, Salvatore D, Tumbarello M, Segatore S, Battilani M, Balboni A, Dondi F. Serological, molecular and clinicopathological findings associated with Leishmania infantum infection in cats in Northern Italy. J Feline Med Surg 2020; 22:935-943. [PMID: 31957532 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x19895067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of Leishmania species infection in cats in Northern Italy and to evaluate the associations between infection and signalment and clinicopathological data. METHODS The study was carried out in a veterinary university hospital from June to November 2017. Blood, urine, conjunctival swabs and hair were collected from all randomly selected cats. Leishmania species infection was evaluated using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), setting a cut-off value of 1:80, and using real-time PCR on blood, conjunctival and hair samples. A complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, serum electrophoresis and urinalysis were also carried out. The cats were grouped on the basis of the results of the diagnostic criteria adopted in positive, negative and unconfirmed Leishmania cases. Non-parametric variables and continuous data were compared among the study groups using the χ2 test and the Mann-Whitney U-test, respectively. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-two cats were included. Nineteen of the 152 (12.5%) cats were positive (18/152 [11.8%] showed an IFAT titre of ⩾1:80 and 1/152 [0.7%] was real-time PCR-positive from a hair sample); 106/152 (69.7%) cats were negative; and 27/152 (17.8%) cats were unconfirmed for Leishmania species. Total proteins, beta2-globulin and gamma-globulin were significantly increased in the positive Leishmania group compared with the negative group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The results of the present study demonstrated the spread of Leishmania infantum infection in cats in Northern Italy. Hyperproteinaemia and hypergammaglobulinaemia appeared to be significant clinicopathological abnormalities in this population of cats with L infantum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Urbani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Tirolo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Salvatore
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Tumbarello
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sofia Segatore
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mara Battilani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Balboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Dondi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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18
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Pennisi MG. Leishmaniosis. FELINE DERMATOLOGY 2020. [PMCID: PMC7294574 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-29836-4_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania spp. affecting cats include L. infantum, L. mexicana, L. venezuelensis, L. amazonensis, and L. braziliensis. Leishmania infantum is the species most frequently reported in cats and causes feline leishmaniosis (FeL). Cats exposed to L. infantum are able to mount a cell-mediated immune response that does not parallel antibody production. Cats with L. infantum-associated clinical disease have positive blood PCR and low to very high antibody levels. About half of the clinical cases of FeL are diagnosed in cats with impaired immunocompetence. Skin or mucocutaneous lesions are the most common clinical findings; however, FeL is a systemic disease. Skin or mucocutaneous lesions and lymph node enlargement are seen in at least half of cases, ocular or oral lesions and some aspecific signs (weight loss, anorexia, lethargy) in about 20–30% of cases, and many other clinical signs (e.g., respiratory, gastrointestinal) are sporadically observed. Ulcerative and nodular lesions due to diffuse granulomatous dermatitis are the most frequent skin manifestations, mainly distributed on the head or symmetrically on the distal limbs. Diagnosis can be obtained by cytology and histology, and immunohistochemistry is useful to confirm the causative role of Leishmania infection in the dermopathological manifestations; however, other skin diseases may coexist with FeL. Polymerase chain reaction is used in case of suggestive lesions with lack of parasites and for Leishmania speciation. Comorbidities, coinfections, and chronic renal disease influence the prognosis and should be investigated. Treatment is currently based on the same drugs used for canine leishmaniosis, and generally clinical cure is obtained; however recurrence is possible.
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Exposure of client-owned cats to zoonotic vector-borne pathogens: Clinic-pathological alterations and infection risk analysis. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 66:101344. [PMID: 31437677 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Zoonotic Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) represent a relevant health issue for pets and humans. Italy is a major epidemiological hub for feline VBDs, because of suitable conditions for vector biology and disease transmission patterns. The present study investigated the exposure to major zoonotic arthropod-borne pathogens of cats in Italy, along with the evaluation of clinic-pathological features and a risk factor analysis. Out of 167 examined cats, 52 (31.1%) were seropositive for at least one vector-borne pathogen, being positivity for Bartonella henselae the most recorded (18%). Also, various cats seroreacted for Rickettsia felis (10.8%) and Rickettisa typhi (4.2%), Leishmania infantum (3%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (2.4%) and Ehrlichia canis (2.4%). Forty-six cats were tested also for antibodies against D. immitis and two (4.3%) scored positive. The statistical analysis showed a positive association between flea infestation and seropositivity to B. henselae, other than an association between the administration of monthly ectoparasiticide treatments and seronegativity for Rickettsia spp.; seropositive cats were older than negative animals and the lifestyle (i.e. indoor vs outdoor) was not correlated with exposure to vector-borne pathogens. The majority of seropositive cats appeared clinically healthy or showed aspecific clinical signs. Around 80% of seropositive cats had one or more biochemical and/or complete blood count abnormalities. The present data confirm the endemicity of zoonotic feline VBDs in Italy and indicate that awareness on arthropod infections and transmitted pathogens should be kept high and possible implemented, towards the protection of animal and human health with adequate surveillance plans.
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20
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Iatta R, Furlanello T, Colella V, Tarallo VD, Latrofa MS, Brianti E, Trerotoli P, Decaro N, Lorusso E, Schunack B, Mirò G, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. A nationwide survey of Leishmania infantum infection in cats and associated risk factors in Italy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007594. [PMID: 31306417 PMCID: PMC6667148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Though scantly investigated, Leishmania infantum infection and clinical cases of leishmaniasis in cats have been recently reported in several countries of the Mediterranean basin, with large variability in prevalence data. A major limitation in the comparability of the data available is attributed to the differences in diagnostic techniques employed and cat populations sampled. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of L. infantum infection in owned cats across Italy by serological and molecular tests and the identification of potential risk factors. Blood samples from 2,659 cats from northern (n = 1,543), central (n = 471) and southern (n = 645) Italy were tested for antibodies against L. infantum, by an immunofluorescence antibody test and for the parasites’ DNA, by real-time PCR. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. An overall cumulative L. infantum prevalence of 3.9% was recorded by serology (3.3%) and/or qPCR (0.8%), with a higher rate (10.5%) in southern Italy. The risk of L. infantum infection in cats was significantly associated to the geographical areas (South vs North and Centre; p<0.0001), age class (from 19 months to 6 years old vs ≤18 months old, p = 0.0003), neutering status (not neutered vs neutered, p = 0.0028) and FIV infection (p = 0.0051).Though the role of cats in the epidemiology of L. infantum is still debated, our findings indicate that cats are exposed to and/or infected by this protozoan, mainly in endemic regions of Italy. Hence, a standardization of procedures for a prompt diagnosis of L. infantum infection in cats and for screening cat population is crucial for a better understanding of the epidemiology of feline leishmaniasis, and of the potential role of cats in the transmission cycle of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially fatal parasitic disease, which is caused by Leishmania infantum. Its distribution is associated with the occurrence of the sand fly vectors and reservoir hosts. Since L. infantum infection can occur in cats with clinical or subclinical outcomes, the role of cats in the epidemiology of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis needs to be thoroughly assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors for infection with L. infantum in a large subset of cats across Italy, a known endemic area with records of human cases of visceral leishmaniasis. Serum and blood samples from 2,659 cats from northern (n = 1,543), central (n = 471) and southern (n = 645) Italy were tested for antibodies against L. infantum and parasites’ DNA, respectively. A cumulative L. infantum prevalence of 3.9% was recorded by serology (3.3%) and/or real-time PCR (0.8%). The risk of L. infantum infection in cats was associated to the geographical areas, age class, neutering status and feline immunodeficiency virus infection. These findings reveal that cats are exposed to and/or infected by this protozoan across the country, warranting further investigation to assess their role in the epidemiology of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis to refine surveillance and prevention strategies against this veterinary and medically important ailment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | | | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paolo Trerotoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lorusso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Guadalupe Mirò
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- Department of Immunology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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21
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Asfaram S, Fakhar M, Teshnizi SH. Is the cat an important reservoir host for visceral leishmaniasis? A systematic review with meta-analysis. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2019; 25:e20190012. [PMID: 31258555 PMCID: PMC6583674 DOI: 10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2019-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years feline leishmanial infections (FLI) have been studied more than
ever before in various parts of the world. However, evidence-based knowledge on
FLI has remained unavailable. The main objectives of this study were to
investigate the status of felines infected by Leishmania spp.
worldwide. Data were extracted from 10 available databases over the period of
1982 to 2017. Overall, 78 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were
used for data extraction in this systematic review. The overall FLI prevalence
by both serological and molecular methods was estimated at 10% (95% CI: 8%-14%).
In Italy, both the seroprevalence (24 %) and PCR prevalence (21 %) were found to
be higher than in other countries. The most common diagnostic test used was the
indirect fluorescent antibody test (38.5%). Studies on mixed-breed felines were
more common than those on other breeds, while the most common parasite species
was L. infantum (63%). Our findings suggest that cats act as
primary and/or secondary reservoir hosts in the transmission of the
Leishmania spp. to humans and also to dogs, by sandflies,
at least in endemic foci. Moreover, available data confirm the enzootic
stability situation of FLI in several countries including some in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Asfaram
- Student Research Committee, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahdi Fakhar
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Saeed Hosseini Teshnizi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
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22
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Pennisi MG, Persichetti MF. Feline leishmaniosis: Is the cat a small dog? Vet Parasitol 2018; 251:131-137. [PMID: 29426470 PMCID: PMC7130840 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is a vector-borne zoonotic disease transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and dogs are considered the main reservoir of the parasite. Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) caused by L. infantum is an emergent feline disease more and more frequently reported in endemic areas. This review summarizes current knowledge focusing similarities and differences with canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Cats are infected by the same Leishmania species than dogs but prevalence of the infection is lower and cases of disease are less frequently reported. Scarce information is available on adaptive immune response of cats naturally exposed to L. infantum infection and mechanisms responsible for susceptibility or resistance of feline hosts. However, about half of clinical cases of FeL are reported in cats with possible impaired immunocompetence. Coinfections or comorbidities are frequently detected in sick cats and they can contribute to a misrepresentation of clinical FeL albeit lesions associated with the presence of the parasite have been detected in skin, lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, liver, oral mucosa, stomach, large bowel, kidney, nasal exudate, lung, eye. As for dogs, skin or mucocutaneous lesions are the most common reason for veterinary consultation and finding on physical examination in cats with leishmaniosis. Molecular investigations of Leishmania DNA and anti- Leishmania antibody detection are largely used with the same methodologies for both CanL and FeL, however few information is available about their diagnostic performance in feline hosts. Treatment of cats with clinical FeL is still empirically based and off label by using the most common drugs prescribed to dogs. Life expectancy of cats with clinical FeL is usually good unless concurrent conditions or complications occur and prognosis does not seem significantly influenced by therapy or retroviral coinfection. According to current knowledge, cats can play a role as additional reservoir host of L. infantum and, in a « One Health » perspective, preventative measures should be taken. In conclusion, albeit feline infection and the associated cat disease caused by L. infantum is increasingly reported in endemic areas and have many similarities with CanL, consolidated evidence-based knowledge is not available and we cannot exclude that important differences between dogs and cats exist about transmission, immunopathogenesis and best practice for management and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina - Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Flaminia Persichetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina - Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri" - Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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Akhtardanesh B, Kheirandish R, Sharifi I, Mohammadi A, Mostafavi A, Mahmoodi T, Ebrahimi M. Low susceptibility of domestic cats to experimental Leishmania infantum infection. J Vector Borne Dis 2018; 55:230-234. [DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.249481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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24
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Feline and canine leishmaniosis and other vector-borne diseases in the Aeolian Islands: Pathogen and vector circulation in a confined environment. Vet Parasitol 2017; 236:144-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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25
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Prevalence of Leishmania infantum and co-infections in stray cats in northern Italy. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 45:53-8. [PMID: 27012922 PMCID: PMC7132376 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2016.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A study of stray cats in Italy expands epidemiologic data regarding leishmaniosis. Leishmania infantum IFAT seroreactivity was found in 12.2% of cats at 1:80 titer. This seropositivity rate is comparable to that in areas endemic for leishmaniosis. Leishmania co-infection with FIV, FeLV, FCoV was 0.0%, 2.4%, 8.5%, respectively. Co-infection with T. gondii, B. henselae, C. felis was 3.7%, 2.4%, 3.7%, respectively.
Stray cats in the city of Milan, Italy, were tested for Leishmania infantum and other selected infections. Twenty-seven cats (30.0%) were seroreactive by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), with an antibody titer of 1:40 for 16 (17.7%) cats and 1:80 (cut-off for feline L. infantum infection) for 11 (12.2%) cats. One blood (1.1%) and one popliteal lymph node (1.1%) sample tested positive by real-time polymerase chain reaction; no oculoconjunctival swabs tested positive. Feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, and feline coronavirus (FCoV) seroprevalence determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was 6.1, 6.1, and 39.0%, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii, Bartonella henselae, and Chlamydophila felis prevalence determined by IFAT was 29.3, 17.1, and 17.1%, respectively. The frequency of seroreactivity to L. infantum was significantly higher in FCoV-seropositive cats (OR = 4.4, P = 0.04). L. infantum-infected stray cats in Milan have a high seropositivity rate, comparable to that of cats in areas endemic for leishmaniosis.
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Pennisi MG, Cardoso L, Baneth G, Bourdeau P, Koutinas A, Miró G, Oliva G, Solano-Gallego L. LeishVet update and recommendations on feline leishmaniosis. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:302. [PMID: 26041555 PMCID: PMC4462189 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0909-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited data is available on feline leishmaniosis (FeL) caused by Leishmania infantum worldwide. The LeishVet group presents in this report a review of the current knowledge on FeL, the epidemiological role of the cat in L. infantum infection, clinical manifestations, and recommendations on diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, prognosis and prevention of infection, in order to standardize the management of this disease in cats. The consensus of opinions and recommendations was formulated by combining a comprehensive review of evidence-based studies and case reports, clinical experience and critical consensus discussions. While subclinical feline infections are common in areas endemic for canine leishmaniosis, clinical illness due to L. infantum in cats is rare. The prevalence rates of feline infection with L. infantum in serological or molecular-based surveys range from 0% to more than 60%. Cats are able to infect sand flies and, therefore, they may act as a secondary reservoir, with dogs being the primary natural reservoir. The most common clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities compatible with FeL include lymph node enlargement and skin lesions such as ulcerative, exfoliative, crusting or nodular dermatitis (mainly on the head or distal limbs), ocular lesions (mainly uveitis), feline chronic gingivostomatitis syndrome, mucocutaneous ulcerative or nodular lesions, hypergammaglobulinaemia and mild normocytic normochromic anaemia. Clinical illness is frequently associated with impaired immunocompetence, as in case of retroviral coinfections or immunosuppressive therapy. Diagnosis is based on serology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) or culture. If serological testing is negative or low positive in a cat with clinical signs compatible with FeL, the diagnosis of leishmaniosis should not be excluded and additional diagnostic methods (cytology, histology with IHC, PCR, culture) should be employed. The most common treatment used is allopurinol. Meglumine antimoniate has been administered in very few reported cases. Both drugs are administered alone and most cats recover clinically after therapy. Follow-up of treated cats with routine laboratory tests, serology and PCR is essential for prevention of clinical relapses. Specific preventative measures for this infection in cats are currently not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Grazia Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, 98168, Italy.
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, 5000-801, Portugal.
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot, 76100, Israel.
| | - Patrick Bourdeau
- Veterinary School of Nantes ONIRIS, University of Nantes, LUNAM, Nantes, 44307, France.
| | | | - Guadalupe Miró
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gaetano Oliva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Food Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Delpino 1, Naples, 80137, Italy.
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Facultat de Veterinaria, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Spain.
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