Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cats in Paraná with antibodies to Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi
By Matos, Andressa Maria Rorato Nascimento de et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2018·Laborató·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Antibodies anti-trypanosomatides in domestic cats in Paraná: who is at highest risk of infection?
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that 8.5% of domestic cats in northern Paraná tested positive for Leishmania (a parasite that can cause serious health issues) and 7.6% for Trypanosoma cruzi (which causes Chagas disease). The cats were mostly from non-governmental animal protection organizations, suggesting that these cats might be at higher risk for these infections. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 679 cats to determine which factors, like age and sex, were linked to these infections. This highlights the importance of monitoring these diseases in cats, especially those in rescue situations.
People also search for: cat leishmaniasis symptoms · cat Chagas disease treatment · how to protect cats from parasites
Abstract
The aim of this study were to detect antibodies anti-Leishmania spp. and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi in two different populations of domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from North Paraná referred for surgical castration and to determine which characteristics of the animals studied may be associated with seropositivity. Serum samples from 679 cats were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in series. Associations between age, sex, race, year of care and animal group were verified using the simple logistic regression. Percentage of 8.5% (58/679) of cats were positive for Leishmania spp. and 7.6% (51/673) for T. cruzi by the tests ELISA and IFAT. Animals collected by non-governmental animal protection organizations presented more seropositivity for Leishmania spp. (p<0.0001). Results shown that Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi are present in domestic cats in the northern part of the state of Paraná, as well as, owners of non-governmental animal protection organizations may be more exposed to leishmaniasis when compared to other animal owners evaluated in the present study.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29846450/