Profiling Bartonella infection and its associated risk factors in shelter cats in Malaysia

Poor disease management and irregular vector control could predispose sheltered animals to disease such as feline infection, a vector-borne zoonotic disease primarily caused by . This study investigated the status of infection in cats from eight (n = 8) shelters by molecular and serological approach...

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Published in:Journal of veterinary science (Suwŏn-si, Korea) Korea), 2023-05, Vol.24 (3), p.54-65
Main Authors: Alias, Nurul Najwa Ainaa, Omar, Sharina, Ahmad, Nur Indah, Watanabe, Malaika, Tay, Sun Tee, Aziz, Nor Azlina, Mustaffa-Kamal, Farina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bartonella - genetics
Bartonella Infections - epidemiology
Bartonella Infections - veterinary
Cat Diseases - epidemiology
Cats
Ctenocephalides
Flea Infestations - veterinary
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Malaysia - epidemiology
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Summary:Poor disease management and irregular vector control could predispose sheltered animals to disease such as feline infection, a vector-borne zoonotic disease primarily caused by . This study investigated the status of infection in cats from eight (n = 8) shelters by molecular and serological approaches, profiling the CD4:CD8 ratio and the risk factors associated with infection in shelter cats. deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer gene, followed by DNA sequencing. IgM and IgG antibody titre, CD4 and CD8 profiles were detected using indirect immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. was detected through PCR and sequencing in 1.0% (1/101) oral swab and 2.0% (1/50) cat fleas, while another 3/50 cat fleas carried Only 18/101 cats were seronegative against , whereas 30.7% (31/101) cats were positive for both IgM and IgG, 8% (18/101) cats had IgM, and 33.7% (34/101) cats had IgG antibody only. None of the eight shelters sampled had antibody-free cats. Although abnormal CD4:CD8 ratio was observed in 48/83 seropositive cats, flea infestation was the only significant risk factor observed in this study. The present study provides the first comparison on the spp. antigen, antibody status and CD4:CD8 ratio among shelter cats. The high seropositivity among shelter cats presumably due to significant flea infestation triggers an alarm of whether the infection could go undetectable and its potential transmission to humans.
ISSN:1229-845X
1976-555X
DOI:10.4142/jvs.22277