: An Update on Feline Leishmaniosis and Factors Associated with Infection in Different Feline Populations from Italy

Overview

Journal Pathogens

Date 2023 Nov 25

PMID 38003815

Authors

Eva Spada

Germano Castelli

Federica Bruno

Fabrizio Vitale

Francesco La Russa

Vito Biondi

Sara Accettulli

Antonella Migliazzo

Aurora Rossi

Roberta Perego

Luciana Baggiani

Daniela Proverbio

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Feline leishmaniosis is a worldwide infection caused by the parasite of the genus transmitted by sandflies. Based on the complexity of epidemiology and diagnosis of this infection, the role of cats in the epidemiology and clinical impact of disease is still under debate. By using serological and molecular methods, this study aimed to update the epidemiology of the infection in different feline populations from various areas of Italy and to study factors associated with the infection. Of 1490 cats tested, 124 (8.3%, 95% CI 6.9-9.9) were infected, 96 had only specific IgG, 18 were only positive for parasite DNA and 10 were both IFAT and qPCR positive. Risk factors for infection were sampling in the winter season (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 2.2-4.8), originating from the Sicily region (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.0), male gender (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.2), outdoor lifestyle (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 0.9-5.6) and seropositivity for FIV antibodies (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.2), while sampling in the spring (OR = 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7) and summer (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7), and originating from the Lazio region (OR = 0.1, 95% CI 0.05-0.4) were protective factors for infection. In endemic areas, infection should be investigated by using both serological and molecular methods and cats should be protected from sandfly bites, particularly if they are FIV infected.

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