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Leishmaniasis in cat shelters: A serological, molecular and entomological study
Author(s) -
Leonel João Augusto Franco,
Vioti Geovanna,
Alves Maria Luana,
Benassi Julia Cristina,
Silva Diogo Tiago da,
Spada Julio Cesar Pereira,
Ruiz Vera Letticie de Azevedo,
Starke-Buzetti Wilma Aparecida,
Soares Rodrigo Martins,
Oliveira Trícia Maria Ferreira de Sousa
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
transboundary and emerging diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.392
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1865-1682
pISSN - 1865-1674
DOI - 10.1111/tbed.13544
Subject(s) - serology , canine leishmaniasis , leishmaniasis , biology , polymerase chain reaction , veterinary medicine , lutzomyia , leishmania , virology , cats , direct fluorescent antibody , indirect immunofluorescence , psychodidae , leishmania infantum , antibody , visceral leishmaniasis , immunology , medicine , parasite hosting , genetics , gene , world wide web , computer science
Abstract An epidemiological Leishmania spp. and entomological Phlebotomine sandflies survey was performed in cat shelters at leishmaniasis endemic area of Brazil. Blood and conjunctival swab (CS) samples were collected from 94 cats in two animal protection shelters. These samples were subjected to serological tests using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and to molecular test by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, a Phlebotomine sandflies survey was performed in the same shelters. The analyses revealed a positivity of 31.91% (30/94) through ELISA and 29.79% (28/94) through IFAT. The two serological tests showed a positive association with perfect agreement ( k = 0.925). None of the cats were positive by Leishmania spp. DNA. One Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis male was found in one of the cat shelters. The results and the implications of our findings are discussed below.