Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária (May 2018)

Antibodies anti-trypanosomatides in domestic cats in Paraná: who is at highest risk of infection?

  • Andressa Maria Rorato Nascimento de Matos,
  • Eloiza Teles Caldart,
  • Fernanda Pinto Ferreira,
  • Keila Clarine Monteiro,
  • Marielen de Souza,
  • Déborah Thais Silva Cepelo Brunieri,
  • Carmen Lúcia Scortecci Hilst,
  • Nilva Maria Freres Mascarenhas,
  • Regina Mitsuka-Breganó,
  • Roberta Lemos Freire,
  • Italmar Teodorico Navarro

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-296120180033
Journal volume & issue
no. 0

Abstract

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Abstract The aim of this study were to detect antibodies anti-Leishmania spp. and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi in two different populations of domestic cats (Felis catus domesticus) from North Paraná referred for surgical castration and to determine which characteristics of the animals studied may be associated with seropositivity. Serum samples from 679 cats were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) in series. Associations between age, sex, race, year of care and animal group were verified using the simple logistic regression. Percentage of 8.5% (58/679) of cats were positive for Leishmania spp. and 7.6% (51/673) for T. cruzi by the tests ELISA and IFAT. Animals collected by non-governmental animal protection organizations presented more seropositivity for Leishmania spp. (p<0.0001). Results shown that Leishmania spp. and T. cruzi are present in domestic cats in the northern part of the state of Paraná, as well as, owners of non-governmental animal protection organizations may be more exposed to leishmaniasis when compared to other animal owners evaluated in the present study.

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