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.
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