ABSTRACT
Cat scratch disease is a zoonosis caused by Bartonella species, transmitted to humans through scratches or bites from infected cats and via direct contact with infected feces. Sporotrichosis, caused by the fungal complex Sporothrix, is transmitted by traumatic inoculation of the fungus. Cats are important in zoonotic transmission. Serum samples from 112 domestic cats with sporotrichosis and 77 samples from healthy cats were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), using the commercial kit Bartonella henselae IFA IgG (Bion). The presence of antibodies against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) core antigens was detected using the commercial kit Snap Combo FIV-FeLV (Idexx). The group of animals with sporotrichosis contained 93 males with a median age of 22 months, eight (7.1%) of which were positive for FIV and 15 (13.4%) for FeLV. The group of animals without sporotrichosis contained 36 males with a median age 48 months, 10 (13.0%) of which were positive for FIV and eight (10.4%) for FeLV. Of the 112 cats with sporotrichosis and 77 cats without mycosis, 72 (64.3%) and 35 (45.5%), respectively, were IFA reactive. No association was found between age, sex, FIV/FeLV and the presence of antibodies to Bartonella species. The results suggest that the study population can be considered a potential source of zoonotic infection for both diseases.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Bartonella Infections/veterinary , Cat Diseases/microbiology , Sporotrichosis/veterinary , Animals , Bartonella Infections/blood , Bartonella Infections/immunology , Brazil/epidemiology , Cat Diseases/epidemiology , Cats , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect , Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline/immunology , Lentivirus Infections/epidemiology , Lentivirus Infections/immunology , Lentivirus Infections/veterinary , Leukemia Virus, Feline/immunology , Male , Retroviridae Infections/epidemiology , Retroviridae Infections/immunology , Retroviridae Infections/veterinary , Sporotrichosis/epidemiology , Sporotrichosis/microbiology , Tumor Virus Infections/epidemiology , Tumor Virus Infections/immunology , Tumor Virus Infections/veterinary , ZoonosesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an acquired disorder characterized by the activation of intravascular coagulation and excessive fibrin formation. It always occurs in association with other clinical conditions, including parasitic diseases. DIC has been described as a unusual complication in human and canine visceral leishmaniasis. CASE PRESENTATION: DIC was found in a seven-year-old male mongrel dog naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. Haemostasis parameters demonstrated changes in primary and secondary haemostasis and fibrinolysis. CONCLUSION: DIC is a unusual condition described in canine visceral leishmaniasis and it seems to be associated with several immunological and pathological mechanisms involved in the disease.
