J E Markovich1, L Ross, E McCobb. 1. Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Serosurveys of cats for exposure to or infection with leptospires have been published from other geographic areas, but none for cats in the United States in the past 4 decades. HYPOTHESIS/ OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of leptospiral antibodies in a population of free roaming cats in Worcester County, (central) Massachusetts. ANIMALS: Sixty-three free roaming cats presenting to a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. METHODS: Prospective study. Serum was collected from 63 free roaming cats presented to a university associated TNR. Microagglutination titers to Leptospira interrogans serovars Autumnalis, Hardjo, Bratislava, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Pomona, and L kirshneri Grippotyphosa were determined. RESULTS: A total of 3 of 63 cats (4.8%) had a titer of 1 : 100 or greater to one or more serovars, with Autumnalis being the most common. None of the cats were seropositive to Hardjo, Grippotyphosa, or Canicola. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results are consistent with previously published seroprevalence rates in feral cats. Additional studies are required to determine the role of leptosporosis in clinical disease in the domestic cat.
BACKGROUND: Serosurveys of cats for exposure to or infection with leptospires have been published from other geographic areas, but none for cats in the United States in the past 4 decades. HYPOTHESIS/ OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of leptospiral antibodies in a population of free roaming cats in Worcester County, (central) Massachusetts. ANIMALS: Sixty-three free roaming cats presenting to a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. METHODS: Prospective study. Serum was collected from 63 free roaming cats presented to a university associated TNR. Microagglutination titers to Leptospira interrogans serovars Autumnalis, Hardjo, Bratislava, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Pomona, and L kirshneri Grippotyphosa were determined. RESULTS: A total of 3 of 63 cats (4.8%) had a titer of 1 : 100 or greater to one or more serovars, with Autumnalis being the most common. None of the cats were seropositive to Hardjo, Grippotyphosa, or Canicola. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These results are consistent with previously published seroprevalence rates in feral cats. Additional studies are required to determine the role of leptosporosis in clinical disease in the domestic cat.
Authors: Andrea Murillo; Rafaela Cuenca; Emmanuel Serrano; Goris Marga; Ahmed Ahmed; Salvador Cervantes; Cristina Caparrós; Verónica Vieitez; Andrea Ladina; Josep Pastor Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-03-02 Impact factor: 3.390