Prevalence of Leishmania infection in 205 cats from a referral hospital population in Brazil (2021−2022)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101068
• Publication Date: 2024-06-18T16:54:26Z
• Authors: Brenda Lopes Paiva; Lucas Christian d...; Kamila Gaudêncio ...; Karla Maria Vieir...; Aline Martins Venuto; Valcledes Nascime...; Francisco Roger A...; Roberta Lomonte L...; Jessica Maria Lei...; Filipe Dantas-Torres
• Keywords: Male; Leishmania; Hospitals, Animal; Cats; Prevalence; Animals; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Female; Leishmania infantum; Cat Diseases; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Leishmaniasis; Brazil

Leishmaniases are a group of neglected diseases of significant public health concern, with Brazil being the primary focus of this disease in the Americas. The municipality of Sobral, in the state of Ceará, is a historical focus of visceral leishmaniasis in both humans and dogs, but data on Leishmania spp. infections in cats are limited. Between April 2021 and February 2022, 205 cats from a referral hospital population were sampled and tested for Leishmania spp. by real-time PCR. Eight cats (3.9%; 95% CI: 1.7-7.5%) tested positive. Among these, three (37.5%) displayed clinical signs compatible with feline leishmaniosis. Non-domiciled cats showed significantly higher positivity compared to domiciled ones (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.0124). Considering their potential role as reservoirs of L. infantum, it is crucial to conduct further studies to understand the Leishmania spp. circulating among cats in Sobral and to implement measures for reducing their exposure to phlebotomine sand fly vectors in this important focus of leishmaniases.