Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in cats tested for FIV and FeLV

Thyara Bezerra de Melo; Tatiene Rossana Mota Silva; Telga Lucena Alves Craveiro de Almeida; Juliane Franciele Tutija; Angélica Oliveira da Silva; Mariana da Silva Lira; Débora Amorim; Alessio Giannelli; Carlos Alberto do Nascimento Ramos; Leucio Câmara Alves; Gílcia Aparecida de Carvalho; Rafael Antonio Nascimento Ramos

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100857

Molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in cats tested for FIV and FeLV

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 2023 May:40:100857. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100857. Epub 2023 Mar 11.

Affiliations

¹ Graduate Program of Animal Bioscience, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
² Graduate Program of Animal Bioscience, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil; Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil.
³ Zoo analyses Veterinary Diagnosis, Recife, Brazil.
⁴ Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil.
⁵ Inovet, Arendok, Belgium.
⁶ Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
⁷ Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil.
⁸ Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil. Electronic address: rafael.ramos@ufape.edu.br.

PMID: 37068860
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100857

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect molecularly vector borne pathogens (VBPs) in domiciled cats tested for Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Blood samples (n = 119) were analyzed microscopically and molecularly through PCR and sequenced for the detection of the following pathogens: piroplasmids., Bartonella henselae, Cytauxzoon felis, Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania spp., hemotropic Mycoplasma spp., Trypanosoma spp., and Ricketssia spp. Animals were also serological assessed for detection of antibodies against FIV and FeLV. Out of all animals, 20.16% (24/119) tested positive for at least one VBPs at molecular examination. Conversely, no animal resulted positive at microscopic analysis. The most prevalent pathogen was hemotropic Mycoplasma haemofelis (8.40%; 10/119), followed by Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (5.88%; 7/119), E. canis (5.04%; 6/119), C. felis (0.84%; 1/119) and B. henselae (0.84%; 1/119). One animal (0.84%; 1/119) was co-infected with. E. canis and B. henselae. A total of 5.88% (7/119) and 1.68% (2/119) tested positive for FIV and FeLV, respectively. Data of this study demonstrate that owned cats can be at risk of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp., E. canis, C. felis and B. henselae. Therefore, preventive measures against vectors of these pathogens should be implemented in order to reduce the risk of exposition and consequently infection. Additionally, aggressive behaviors among cats should be avoided, especially because hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. may be transmitted through the bite of animals.

Keywords: Bartonella; Brazil; Cytauxzoon; Domestic cats; Ehrlichia; Mycoplasma.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anaplasma
Animals
Cat Diseases* / diagnosis
Cats
Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline*
Leukemia Virus, Feline
Mycoplasma Infections* / diagnosis
Mycoplasma Infections* / epidemiology
Mycoplasma Infections* / veterinary

Supplementary concepts

Chlamydia felis