Seroprevalence and Risk Factors forInfection in Owned Domestic Cats in Australia.

Abstract

Ongoing surveillance ofseroprevalence and exposure risks in owned cats is important to identify effective mechanisms to decrease the prevalence of this global zoonotic parasite. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence ofand risk factors for seropositivity in owned domestic cats in Australia. Sera, signalment data, postcode, and completed owner-questionnaires surveying diet composition and lifestyle factors were collected for cats presenting to 18 veterinary clinics across Australia.-specific IgG was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression to evaluate risk factors associated with positiveIgG serology. Among 417 cats,seroprevalence was 39%. More than two-thirds of cats tested (69%) had outdoor access and 59% were fed a diet containing raw meat. Univariable analyses identified, age (>1 year,&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001), a diet containing any raw meat (&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.001), raw kangaroo (&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.008), raw chicken (&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.012), or raw beef (&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.017), and hunting (&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.049) as risk factors forinfection. Age (>1 year, odds ratio [OR]: 7.15) and feeding of raw meat (OR: 2.23) remained significant risk factors (&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) in multivariable analyses.seroprevalence did not differ between cats domiciled in urban and semiurban or rural areas. Pet cats in Australia are commonly infected with. Feeding raw meat to cats, a common practice in Australia, is associated withinfection, highlighting the need for education about the health implications for cats from feeding a diet containing raw meat.