Specific anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in stray cats in Greece.

Abstract

Greece is a highly endemic country for Leishmania species. Canine cases of leishmaniosis are recorded in different parts of the country. However, no case of feline leishmaniosis has been reported yet. In the present study, the seroprevalence in cats was investigated as a first approach to measuring Leishmania spp. infection of this animal species, in Greece. For this purpose, blood serum samples from 284 stray adult cats, living in the major area of Thessaloniki (Northern Greece), were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of anti-Leishmania spp. IgG. Eleven (3.87%) of the examined animals were found positive. The prevalence was lower in cats than in dogs coming from the same area, based on previous studies. Despite the low seroprevalence for Leishmania spp. in cats, leishmaniosis may be taken into consideration concerning the differential diagnosis of the feline diseases, especially in endemic areas.