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Published on: December 9, 2014
Bartonella and Toxoplasma infections in stray cats from Iraq
Alexandra D Switzer1, Audrey C McMillan-Cole, Rickie W Kasten
1Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Public Health Command Region-Pacific, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Insights
This study found Bartonella and Toxoplasma infections in stray cats in Iraq. Baghdad had the highest prevalence, indicating a potential zoonotic risk to people and military personnel.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Overpopulation of stray and feral cats on military bases in Iraq necessitated disease surveillance.
- The US Army Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Program aimed to assess health risks associated with these animal populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, and Toxoplasma gondii infections in stray cats in Iraq.
- To evaluate the potential zoonotic risk posed by these infections to the local population and military personnel.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 207 stray cats, primarily in Baghdad, with some from North and West Iraq.
- Serological testing was performed to detect antibodies against T. gondii, B. henselae, and B. clarridgeiae.
- Bacteremia for B. henselae type I was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of T. gondii seropositivity was 30.4%.
- Seroprevalence for B. henselae was 15%, and for B. clarridgeiae was 12.6%.
- Nine cats (4.3%) from Baghdad were bacteremic with B. henselae type I. Bartonella prevalence showed significant geographic variation, concentrated in Baghdad.
Conclusions:
- This is the first report detailing Bartonella and T. gondii prevalence in Iraqi stray cats.
- Findings highlight a significant zoonotic risk from feral cat colonies to both Iraqi civilians and deployed military personnel.
- Geographic clustering of Bartonella infections in Baghdad warrants targeted public health awareness and control measures.
Abstract:
Because of overpopulation, stray/feral cats were captured on military bases in Iraq as part of the US Army Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Program. Blood samples were collected from 207 cats, mainly in Baghdad but also in North and West Iraq, to determine the prevalence of Bartonella and Toxoplasma infections. Nine (4.3%) cats, all from Baghdad, were bacteremic with B. henselae type I. Seroprevalence was 30.4% for T. gondii, 15% for B. henselae, and 12.6% for B. clarridgeiae. Differences in Bartonella prevalence by location were statistically significant, because most of the seropositive cats were from Baghdad. There was no association between T. gondii seropositivity and either of the two Bartonella species surveyed. This report is the first report on the prevalence of Bartonella and T. gondii among stray cats in Iraq, which allows for better evaluation of the zoonotic risk potential to the Iraqi people and deployed military personnel by feral cat colonies.
