Prevalence of Bartonella species infections in cats in Southern Germany.

Bartonella species are zoonotic pathogens, and infections in cats are common. However, prevalence in cats in Southern Germany is still unknown. Therefore, prevalence of Bartonella species DNA in blood of 479 Southern German cats was determined using a previously published conventional PCR targeting a fragment of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region. Associations between Bartonella bacteraemia, housing conditions, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) status, including progressive, regressive and abortive FeLV infection, were evaluated using Fisher's exact test. Prevalence of Bartonella species bacteraemia was 2.5 per cent (12/479; CI 0.01-0.04 per cent). Bartonella henselae DNA was amplified in 11 of the 12 cats. One cat was positive for Bartonella clarridgeiae DNA. Of the infected cats, 2/12 cats were ill; 6/12 cats had thrombocytopenia. There was a significantly higher risk of Bartonella species infection in young and shelter cats, but not in FIV-infected or FeLV-infected cats. Prevalence of Bartonella species bacteraemia is low in Southern German cats, but there is still a risk of zoonotic transmission associated with ownership of young cats. Most of the infected cats did not show clinical signs. Thrombocytopenia was common in Bartonella species-infected cats and further studies are required to define its clinical relevance.

Concurrent administration of an intranasal vaccine containing feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) with a parenteral vaccine containing FHV-1 is superior to parenteral vaccination alone in an acute FHV-1 challenge model.

The administration of intranasal (IN) or subcutaneous (SC) vaccines containing modified live feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) offers some level of protection against FHV-1 challenge, but relative efficacy is <100%. In this study, clinical signs and viral shedding in kittens were compared among three groups: (1) kittens vaccinated concurrently with IN and SC vaccines containing FHV-1 (Group 1, n = 8); (2) kittens vaccinated with a SC FHV-1 vaccine alone (Group 2, n = 8), and (3) unvaccinated control kittens (Group 3, n = 8). All kittens were FHV-1 naïve at enrolment, and challenge with a virulent strain of FHV-1 was performed 1 week after vaccination. Daily clinical signs and pharyngeal FHV-1 shedding were recorded over a 21-day infection period. Overall, kittens in Group 1 had significantly less severe clinical illness than those in Group 2 (P < 0.05). Additionally, significantly less FHV-1 DNA was detected on pharyngeal swabs from kittens in Group 1 compared to those in Group 2 (P < 0.001). Concomitant administration of IN and SC FHV-1 vaccines was superior to administration of the SC FHV-1 vaccine alone in this challenge model of FHV-1 naïve kittens.

Bartonella species antibodies and hyperglobulinemia in privately owned cats.

BACKGROUND: Bartonella species are zoonotic agents and primary pathogens in cats. Hyperglobulinemia has been associated with bartonellosis in humans and cats. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate for associations between Bartonella species immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and serum biochemistry panel results in privately owned cats. ANIMALS: 1,477 privately owned cats. METHODS: Residual sera were collected after biochemical evaluation for this prospective, cross-sectional serosurvey. Bartonella species IgG ELISA was performed with a cutoff value of ≥ 1 : 64. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed with the endpoint titer as the outcome variable. The final statistical model included age, albumin, ALP activity, ALT activity, bilirubin, creatinine, glucose, and globulin as covariates. Serum protein electrophoresis was performed with serum from 50 cats with and without antibodies to Bartonella species and hyperglobulinemia. Sera from cats seropositive to Bartonella species and with hyperglobulinemia were assessed for evidence of exposure to other infectious agents associated with hyperglobulinemia. RESULTS: Risk of seropositivity to Bartonella species was positively associated with the natural log of globulin concentration (OR = 11.90, 95% CI 6.15-23.02, P < .0001), and inversely associated with the natural log of glucose concentration (OR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.50-0.87, P = .004). Another explanation for hyperglobulinemia was not identified for most cats with Bartonella species antibodies. Hyperglobulinemia was primarily caused by polyclonal gammopathy in cats that were seronegative and seropositive for Bartonella species. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Hyperglobulinemia was significantly associated with seropositivity to Bartonella species. Testing for bartonellosis is warranted in cats with unexplained hyperglobulinemia and clinical or laboratory findings suggestive of bartonellosis.

Prevalence of Bartonella species, hemoplasmas, and Rickettsia felis DNA in blood and fleas of cats in Bangkok, Thailand.

Flea infestations are common in Thailand, but little is known about the flea-borne infections. Fifty flea pools and 153 blood samples were collected from client-owned cats between June and August 2009 from veterinary hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand. Total DNA was extracted from all samples, and then assessed by conventional PCR assays. The prevalence rates of Bartonella spp. in blood and flea samples were 17% and 32%, respectively, with DNA of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae being amplified most commonly. Bartonella koehlerae DNA was amplified for the first time in Thailand. Hemoplasma DNA was amplified from 23% and 34% of blood samples and flea pools, respectively, with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and Mycoplasma haemofelis being detected most frequently. All samples were negative for Rickettsia felis. Prevalence rate of B. henselae DNA was increased 6.9 times in cats with flea infestation. Cats administered flea control products were 4.2 times less likely to be Bartonella-infected.

Prevalence of Bartonella species, Rickettsia felis, haemoplasmas and the Ehrlichia group in the blood of cats and fleas in eastern Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To define the prevalence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia felis, Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (Mhm) and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' (Mtc) in cats and their fleas in eastern Australia. DESIGN AND PROCEDURE: Conventional PCR assays that detect Bartonella spp., M. haemofelis, Mhm, Mtc, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp. and Neorickettsia spp. were performed on DNA extracted from blood and fleas collected from 111 cats. Cat sera were assayed by ELISA for IgG of Bartonella spp. RESULTS: DNA of M. haemofelis, Mtc and Mhm was amplified from 1 (0.9%), 1 (0.9%) and 17 cats (15.3%), respectively. Only DNA of Mhm was amplified from the 62 of 111 pooled flea samples (flea sets; 55.9%). Overall, the prevalence rates for Bartonella spp. DNA in the cats and the flea sets was 16.2% (18 cats) and 28.8% (32 flea sets), respectively. Bartonella spp. IgG was detected in 42 cats (37.8%), of which 11 (26.2%) were positive for Bartonella spp. DNA in their blood. R. felis DNA was amplified from 22 flea sets (19.8%), but not from cats. Overall, DNA of one or more of the organisms was amplified from 27% (30) of cats and 67.6% (75) of the flea sets. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first Australian study to determine the prevalence of R. felis and B. clarridgeiae in both fleas and the cats from which they were collected. Flea-associated infectious agents are common in cats and fleas in eastern Australia and support the recommendation that stringent flea control be maintained on cats.

Antibodies against Crandell Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cell line antigens, alpha-enolase, and annexin A2 in vaccinated and CRFK hyperinoculated cats.

BACKGROUND: Cats inoculated with feline herpesvirus 1, calicivirus, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccines grown on the Crandell Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cell line have been shown to develop anti-CRFK antibodies. The identities of common CRFK antigens are unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Cats inoculated with CRFK lysates and FVRCP vaccines will develop autoantibodies measurable by Western blot immunoassay. Antigens associated with these antibodies can be isolated for further study. ANIMALS: One CRFK hyperinoculated rabbit, 44 age-matched unvaccinated kittens purchased from a commercial vendor. METHODS: Commonly recognized CRFK antigens were identified by comparison of Western blot immunoassays using sera from a hyperinoculated rabbit and kittens inoculated with CRFK lysate or 1 of 4 commercially available FVRCP vaccines. Antigens were purified from CRFK lysates and sequenced. Antigen recognition was confirmed by Western blot immunoassay and indirect ELISA for 2 proteins using sera from CRFK and FVRCP inoculated kittens. RESULTS: CRFK antigens 47, 40, and 38 kD in size were identified. Protein isolation and sequencing identified 3 CRFK proteins as alpha-enolase, annexin A2, and macrophage capping protein (MCP). Sera from FVRCP and CRFK inoculated cats were confirmed to recognize annexin A2 and alpha-enolase by Western blot immunoassay and indirect ELISA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study validated the use of Western blot immunoassay for detection of antibodies against CRFK proteins and identified 3 CRFK antigens. In humans, alpha-enolase antibodies are nephritogenic; alpha-enolase and annexin A2 antibodies have been associated with autoimmune diseases. Further research will be necessary to determine the clinical relevance of these findings.

Long-term fade study of the DT-702 LiF: Mg,Cu,P TLD.

LiF thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) are used by the US Navy to record radiation exposure of personnel. The Model DT-648 LiF:Mg,Ti TLD has been replaced by a new Model DT-702 LiF:Mg,Cu,P TLD. The DT-648 was used for many years and has undergone extensive testing to identify its pre- and post-irradiation fade operating characteristics. Studies have shown that the addition of copper increases the thermoluminesence sensitivity of the TLD for improved low-level radiation monitoring. This study evaluates various fading characteristics of the new copper-doped dosemeter using current equipment for processing of TLDs and calibrating to a National Institute of Standards and Technology standard source. The 57-week study took place at the Naval Dosimetry Center, Bethesda, MD, USA. TLDs were stored for various lengths of time before and after being exposed to a National Institute of Standards and Technology calibrated radiation sources. TLDs were then processed using current US Navy instructions and the resulting dose compared with the calibrated exposure. Both loss of signal and loss of sensitivity were evaluated. The results of this study have shown that the DT-702 TLD has no statistically significant change in sensitivity or change in signal with up to 57 weeks of pre- or post-irradiation time. The results of this study will increase the accuracy of exposure record keeping for the Navy and will allow longer issue periods. This will increase flexibility with international and domestic shipping procedures, as well as reduce workload requirements for dosimetry processing.

Marbofloxacin for the treatment of experimentally induced Mycoplasma haemofelis infection in cats.

BACKGROUND: Administration of tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones is associated with improvement in clinical and laboratory abnormalities in cats infected with Mycoplasma haemofelis. No treatment protocol has consistently eliminated the organism, and antimicrobial susceptibility may vary among M. haemofelis isolates. Continued search for effective therapies is warranted. HYPOTHESIS: Marbofloxacin administered at the onset of clinical illness will be safe and effective for the treatment of M. haemofelis. ANIMALS: Fourteen young adult, laboratory-reared cats housed together in a specific pathogen-free facility. METHODS: Twelve cats were inoculated IV with 2.0 mL of blood from 2 M. haemofelis positive cats. Clinical parameters were assessed daily. CBC and hemoplasma polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were performed before inoculation, weekly for 1-3 weeks postinoculation (PI) and twice weekly 3-6 weeks PI. Treatment with marbofloxacin (2.75 mg/kg PO daily for 14 days) was initiated in 6 randomly selected cats when PCV was <30% or fever was >102.5 degrees F (39.2 degrees C). Cats that were PCR positive on day 7 of therapy were treated for 28 days. Cats that were PCR negative on day 42 PI were treated with 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone acetate IM on day 50 PI. RESULTS: Significant differences between groups on some days after inoculation included higher PCV and red blood cell counts, lower mean cell volume, and higher mean cell hemoglobin content in marbofloxacin-treated cats. No differences in PCR assay results were noted between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Marbofloxacin was safe and resulted in more rapid hematologic improvement in M. haemofelis-infected cats, but did not change clinical scores and did not consistently eliminate infection.