Feline leishmaniosis is a worldwide infection caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania 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 L. infantum 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, Leishmania 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.

FeliLeish: An Update on Feline Leishmaniosis and Factors Associated with Infection in Different Feline Populations from Italy / E. Spada, G. Castelli, F. Bruno, F. Vitale, F. La Russa, V. Biondi, S. Accettulli, A. Migliazzo, A. Rossi, R. Perego, L. Baggiani, D. Proverbio. - In: PATHOGENS. - ISSN 2076-0817. - 12:11(2023 Nov 12), pp. 1351.1-1351.18. [10.3390/pathogens12111351]

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

E. Spada
Co-primo
Conceptualization
;
R. Perego
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
L. Baggiani
Penultimo
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
D. Proverbio
Ultimo
Membro del Collaboration Group
2023

Abstract

Feline leishmaniosis is a worldwide infection caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania 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 L. infantum 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, Leishmania 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.
Leishmania infantum; IFAT; epidemiology; risk factors; protective factors; qPCR
Settore VET/08 - Clinica Medica Veterinaria
Settore VET/05 - Malattie Infettive degli Animali Domestici
Settore VET/06 - Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie degli Animali
   La Leishmaniosi viscerale zoonotica nel gatto: epidemiologia comparata nei territori Milano-Latina-Palermo-Istanbul. Valutazione sistemica della sintomatologia, diagnosi e patogenesi (Felileish)
   Felileish
   MINISTERO DELLA SALUTE
   IZS SI 08/20
12-nov-2023
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1017548
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