Emerging feline vector-borne pathogens in Italy

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Feline vector-borne pathogen (FeVBP) epidemiology is understudied compared to dogs.
• Central Italy cat populations were assessed for Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Leishmania infantum.
• Utilized molecular and serological diagnostic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of specific vector-borne pathogens in domestic cats in central Italy.
• To compare the efficacy of different sample types (blood vs. conjunctival swabs) for Leishmania detection.
• To investigate the circulation of Rickettsia, Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Leishmania in a feline population.

Main Methods:

• Collected peripheral blood and conjunctival swab samples from 286 healthy cats.
• Performed indirect immunofluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) for antibodies against Rickettsia and Leishmania.
• Utilized nested PCR (n-PCR) on buffy coats and conjunctival swabs for pathogen DNA detection.

Main Results:

• 62 cats (21.67%) were seropositive for at least one pathogen.
• 31 cats (10.83%) showed antibodies to Leishmania, and 45 (15.73%) tested positive via conjunctival swab n-PCR.
• No Rickettsia or Babesia DNA was detected; no Cytauxzoon spp. evidence found.

Conclusions:

• Moderate exposure to Leishmania was detected in the cat population.
• Conjunctival swabs showed higher diagnostic value than buffy coats for Leishmania detection in cats.
• No evidence of Cytauxzoon spp. circulation in domestic cats was found, contrasting with wild cat findings.