Feline Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of Seroprevalence in Cats in the Campania Region, Southern Italy
Feline leishmaniasis (FeL), caused by <i>Leishmania infantum</i>, is increasingly reported in areas of endemic Mediterranean canine leishmaniasis (CanL), making it an emerging feline disease. This cross-sectional study investigated <i>L. infantum</i> seroprevalence and risk f...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Laura Cortese Giulia Abate Pasquale Santoro Elvira Improda Gianmarco Ferrara Vincenzo Lucidi Antonio Sica Giuseppe Iovane Serena Montagnaro |
| author_facet | Laura Cortese Giulia Abate Pasquale Santoro Elvira Improda Gianmarco Ferrara Vincenzo Lucidi Antonio Sica Giuseppe Iovane Serena Montagnaro |
| author_sort | Laura Cortese |
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| description | Feline leishmaniasis (FeL), caused by <i>Leishmania infantum</i>, is increasingly reported in areas of endemic Mediterranean canine leishmaniasis (CanL), making it an emerging feline disease. This cross-sectional study investigated <i>L. infantum</i> seroprevalence and risk factors in 229 domestic cats from the Campania region of southern Italy, a CanL endemic area, between January 2023 and December 2024. Serum samples were tested for <i>L. infantum</i> antibodies (IFAT) and for FIV/FeLV. Seropositivity (IFAT titre ≥ 1:40) for FeL was detected in 12/229 (5.2%) of the cats tested. No statistically significant correlation was found between seropositivity for <i>L. infantum</i> and the variables considered. However, outdoor cats and FIV/FeLV-seropositive cats had higher prevalence rates: 10.6% and 7.4%, respectively. Of the 12 seropositive cats, 7 (58.3%) had an antibody titre of 1:40, 2 (16.6%) of 1:80 and 3 (25.0%) a titre of 1:160. Of the 12 cats positive for FeL, 2 (16.6%) were also positive for FIV. Our results confirm the exposure to <i>L. infantum</i> and the serological response in cats from southern Italy. The low prevalence could be due to owners using mosquito control products in the household that would also protect cats. Further investigation is essential to clarify risk factors and improve our understanding of the epidemiology of FeL in this endemic area. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-78df1f002e2943f184cd5e58d492f7be2025-08-20T03:26:52ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011512180110.3390/ani15121801Feline Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of Seroprevalence in Cats in the Campania Region, Southern ItalyLaura Cortese0Giulia Abate1Pasquale Santoro2Elvira Improda3Gianmarco Ferrara4Vincenzo Lucidi5Antonio Sica6Giuseppe Iovane7Serena Montagnaro8Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, “Federico II”, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, “Federico II”, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Paediatrics and Laboratory Medicine, University of Naples, “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini 5 80134 Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, “Federico II”, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell’ Annunziata, Viale G. Palatucci 23, 98168 Messina, ItalyIndependent Researcher, 63072 Castignano, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, “Federico II”, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, “Federico II”, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples, “Federico II”, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, ItalyFeline leishmaniasis (FeL), caused by <i>Leishmania infantum</i>, is increasingly reported in areas of endemic Mediterranean canine leishmaniasis (CanL), making it an emerging feline disease. This cross-sectional study investigated <i>L. infantum</i> seroprevalence and risk factors in 229 domestic cats from the Campania region of southern Italy, a CanL endemic area, between January 2023 and December 2024. Serum samples were tested for <i>L. infantum</i> antibodies (IFAT) and for FIV/FeLV. Seropositivity (IFAT titre ≥ 1:40) for FeL was detected in 12/229 (5.2%) of the cats tested. No statistically significant correlation was found between seropositivity for <i>L. infantum</i> and the variables considered. However, outdoor cats and FIV/FeLV-seropositive cats had higher prevalence rates: 10.6% and 7.4%, respectively. Of the 12 seropositive cats, 7 (58.3%) had an antibody titre of 1:40, 2 (16.6%) of 1:80 and 3 (25.0%) a titre of 1:160. Of the 12 cats positive for FeL, 2 (16.6%) were also positive for FIV. Our results confirm the exposure to <i>L. infantum</i> and the serological response in cats from southern Italy. The low prevalence could be due to owners using mosquito control products in the household that would also protect cats. Further investigation is essential to clarify risk factors and improve our understanding of the epidemiology of FeL in this endemic area.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1801<i>Leishmania infantum</i>catsseroprevalenceItalyfeline retrovirusrisk factors |
| spellingShingle | Laura Cortese Giulia Abate Pasquale Santoro Elvira Improda Gianmarco Ferrara Vincenzo Lucidi Antonio Sica Giuseppe Iovane Serena Montagnaro Feline Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of Seroprevalence in Cats in the Campania Region, Southern Italy Animals <i>Leishmania infantum</i> cats seroprevalence Italy feline retrovirus risk factors |
| title | Feline Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of Seroprevalence in Cats in the Campania Region, Southern Italy |
| title_full | Feline Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of Seroprevalence in Cats in the Campania Region, Southern Italy |
| title_fullStr | Feline Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of Seroprevalence in Cats in the Campania Region, Southern Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feline Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of Seroprevalence in Cats in the Campania Region, Southern Italy |
| title_short | Feline Leishmaniosis: A Retrospective Study of Seroprevalence in Cats in the Campania Region, Southern Italy |
| title_sort | feline leishmaniosis a retrospective study of seroprevalence in cats in the campania region southern italy |
| topic | <i>Leishmania infantum</i> cats seroprevalence Italy feline retrovirus risk factors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/12/1801 |
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