First evidence of the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies in domestic cats (Felis catus) in a city in northeastern Brazil endemic for human and canine leishmaniasis - an exploratory study.
Feline Leishmaniasis; Felis catus; Zoonosis; Serology
In domestic cats, the number of diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania becomes increasingly significant, although the role of cats in this cycle is still unclear. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania spp. that affects men, wild and domestic animals, and is considered a zoonosis. Its definitive host and reservoir is domestic and wild dogs, but there are cases reported in other species, including domestic cats (Felis catus). The parasite is transmitted vectorially through the blood repasto of the female sand fly, which in Brazil is predominantly Lutzomya longipalpis. In cats, previous studies have reported that these animals are affected by visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and can become infected and develop this disease with variable clinical signs. Thus, most studies are limited to dogs and few are focused on the investigation of Leishmania sp. in other mammals. The aim of this study was to detect the seroprevalence of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies using Leishmania infantum and L. amazonensis antigen and then to perform Western Blott on serological samples from domestic cats from the castration program carried out by the CCZ (Zoonosis Control Center) in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state. The number of cats evaluated was 130. The cats were submitted to a complete clinical examination and blood samples were collected through the jugular or cephalic vein. Clinical records were filled in, with data regarding breed, age, sex, region of origin, and clinical symptoms. The cutaneous form of leishmaniasis in cats includes clinical signs such as formation of nodular and ulcerative lesions, papular lesions, generalized dermatitis, alopecia and hardened lesions in the region of the snout, ears, lips and eyelids. Although not pathognomonic, dermatological lesions may be important for screening infected animals in endemic areas. To evaluate IgG anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies, an ELISA in house test was developed. Due to the expansion of reported cases of leishmaniasis in animals in Brazil and in view of the endemicity of the Northeast region, the study could demonstrate the participation and exposure of cats in Natal-RN to this zoonosis and their possible participation in the epidemiological chain of transmission of visceral leishmaniasis.