Pathogenic Leptospira spp. in stray dogs and cats of Sicily

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of public health concern. The infection is spread worldwide, particularly in tropical areas, where many environmental and cultural conditions favorable for its transmission occur, such as the close coexistence between people and wild or domestic animals, as well as a predominantly warm-humid climate. However, it can also occur in urban environments of industrialized countries or in temperate rural areas with a seasonal trend characterized by a maximum incidence in warm and rainy months.

Its prevalence in stray animals in the South of Italy is unknown. This study aimed to investigate Leptospira spp. prevalence in 1009 stray animals. Out of them, 749 were alive animals, including 358 dogs (316 from Palermo and 42 from Ragusa) and 391 cats (359 from Palermo and 32 from Ragusa), and 260 were corpses (216 dogs and 44 cats) randomly collected in Sicily.

Dogs and cats underwent a serological screening by Microscopic Agglutination Test and a molecular investigation by Real-Time PCR targeting lipL32. Corpses were subjected to Real-Time PCR.

Serological analyses showed a prevalence of 1.12% (4/358) for dogs and 0.26% (1/391) for cats, with the only positive cat coming from Palermo.

Serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae or Copenhageni, followed by Canicola and Bratislava, were the most spread among dogs, while the serological positive cat reacted with Hardjo serogroup. Two urine (2/32, 6.25%) and one blood (1/391, 0.26%) samples of cats, all from Ragusa, were positive at real-time PCR for pathogenic Leptospira spp. Sequencing analyses showed the presence of L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae or Copenhageni in one of the positive urine samples and in the positive blood sample. Analyses on corpses showed a prevalence of 1.85% (4/216) in Sicilian dog kidney samples, while all corpses of cats resulted in negative. Genotyping analysis showed a genetic relatedness between cat and human isolates.

In conclusion, results show Leptospira spp. circulation among Sicilian stray animals. The genetic relatedness between cat and human isolates suggests a possible common infection source.

Researchers said to the best of their knowledge, this is the first report of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae in cats in Italy. Further investigations will help understand the true role of Leptospira in cats.

Francesca Grippi, et al “Serological and Molecular Evidence of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. in Stray Dogs and Cats of Sicily (South Italy), 2017-2021.”. Microorganisms. 2023 Feb 2;11(2):385. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11020385.

Like0

Dislike0

List
Add

Please enter a comment

Name *

Email address *

Comment *

* Required fields

Information on the processing of your personal data
We inform you that, in compliance with the provisions of current national and European regulations for the Protection of Personal Data and Services of the Information Society and Electronic Commerce, by sending us this form you are expressly giving your consent to Grupo Asís Biomedia , SL, (hereinafter, "ASIS GROUP") so that, as the person in charge, it may process your personal data in order to respond to your request for contact and information by electronic means.

Likewise, when you expressly consent, we will process your personal data to send you specialized information, newsletters, offers and exclusive promotions from GRUPO ASIS and related companies.

For the aforementioned purpose, GRUPO ASIS may transfer your data to other companies linked to GRUPO ASIS or to third party service providers for the management of electronic communications and other security services, even in cases where they are outside of the European Union, provided that they legally guarantee the adequate level of protection required by European regulations.

At any time you can withdraw the consent given and exercise the rights of access, rectification, deletion, portability of your data and limitation or opposition to its treatment by contacting GRUPO ASIS by sending an email to protecciondatos @ grupoasis.com, or by written communication to address at Centro Empresarial El Trovador, 8th floor, office I, Plaza Antonio Beltrán Martínez 1, 50002, Zaragoza (Spain), indicating in either case the Ref. Personal data and the right you exercise, as well as attaching a copy of your ID or replacement identification document.

I have read and accept the treatment of my data according to the informed purpose and according Legal notes and the Privacy Policy
I wish to receive commercial information from GRUPO ASIS and related companies