Intestinal parasites and vector-borne pathogens in stray and free-roaming cats living in continental and insular Greece

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Jan 31;11(1):e0005335. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005335. eCollection 2017 Jan.

Abstract

This survey investigated the distribution of various intestinal parasites and vector-borne pathogens in stray and free-roaming cats living in four regions of Greece. A total number of one hundred and fifty cats living in three Islands (Crete, Mykonos and Skopelos) and in Athens municipality was established as a realistic aim to be accomplished in the study areas. All cats were examined with different microscopic, serological and molecular assays aiming at evaluating the occurrence of intestinal parasites, and exposure to or presence of vector-borne infections. A total of 135 cats (90%) was positive for one or more parasites and/or pathogens transmitted by ectoparasites. Forty-four (29.3%) cats were positive for one single infection, while 91 (60.7%) for more than one pathogen. A high number of (n. 53) multiple infections caused by feline intestinal and vector-borne agents including at least one zoonotic pathogen was detected. Among them, the most frequently recorded helminths were roundworms (Toxocara cati, 24%) and Dipylidium caninum (2%), while a high number of examined animals (58.8%) had seroreaction for Bartonella spp., followed by Rickettsia spp. (43.2%) and Leishmania infantum (6.1%). DNA-based assays revealed the zoonotic arthropod-borne organisms Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, Rickettsia spp., and L. infantum. These results show that free-ranging cats living in areas of Greece under examination may be exposed to a plethora of internal parasites and vector-borne pathogens, some of them potentially able to infect humans. Therefore, epidemiological vigilance and appropriate control measures are crucial for the prevention and control of these infections and to minimize the risk of infection for people.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cats
  • Female
  • Greece
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Parasites / classification
  • Parasites / genetics
  • Parasites / isolation & purification*

Grants and funding

The execution of the present study has been supported by Merial S.A.S, 29 Av Tony Garnier, 69007, Lyon, France. Merial Sas will pay any publication fee. LH and FB are employers of Merial S.A.S, 29 Av Tony Garnier, 69007, Lyon, France and they partecipated to study design, the preparation of the manuscript. The funders had no role in data collection and analysis. The decision to publish the manuscript has been taken collegially for all authors.