The Prevalence of Leptospiral Antibodies in Free Roaming Cats in Worcester County, Massachusetts

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine

J.E. Markovich¹  L. Ross¹ 

[1] Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA

关键词: Autumnalis;    Feral;    Leptospira interrogans;    TNR;   

DOI  :  10.1111/j.1939-1676.2012.00900.x

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Background

Serosurveys of cats for exposure to or infection with leptospires have been published from other geographic areas, but none for cats in the United States in the past 4 decades.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence of leptospiral antibodies in a population of free roaming cats in Worcester County, (central) Massachusetts.

Animals

Sixty-three free roaming cats presenting to a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program.

Methods

Prospective study. Serum was collected from 63 free roaming cats presented to a university associated TNR. Microagglutination titers to Leptospira interrogans serovars Autumnalis, Hardjo, Bratislava, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Pomona, and L  kirshneri Grippotyphosa were determined.

Results

A total of 3 of 63 cats (4.8%) had a titer of 1 : 100 or greater to one or more serovars, with Autumnalis being the most common. None of the cats were seropositive to Hardjo, Grippotyphosa, or Canicola.

Conclusions and clinical importance

These results are consistent with previously published seroprevalence rates in feral cats. Additional studies are required to determine the role of leptosporosis in clinical disease in the domestic cat.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2012 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine