Serum prevalence to non-viral pathogens in wild felids of Southern Primorye, Russia

Abstract

Serum prevalence to six different non-viral pathogens was estimated for big Russian cats (Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and the Far Eastern leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)) in Southern Primorye, Russia (n = 26) in 2008–2016. Serum samples from smaller cats (Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and Far Eastern wildcat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus)) were also tested for these pathogens (n = 28) during the same period. Felids of Russian Southern Primorye showed serum prevalence to five out of six tested pathogens. Antibodies to Candida sp. and Trichinella sp. were found to be much more widespread in cats (47% and 42%) than antibodies to other tested pathogens (20% and less). Large cats demonstrated a higher serum prevalence to these pathogens than smaller ones. We did not detect animals seropositive to Coxiella burnetii.

Keywords

• Amur tiger
• Panthera tigris altaica
• pathogens
• Toxoplasma gondii
• Trichinella