Prevalence and Risk Factors of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus Infection in Healthy Cats in Thailand

Infections with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) occur worldwide and are among the most important infectious diseases in cats. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of FIV and FeLV infection in healthy outdoor cats in North, Northeast and Central Thailand. So far, a study on retrovirus prevalence of healthy cats in Thailand in a larger geographic area has not been published yet. In addition, risk factors for FIV and FeLV infections were evaluated. Two hundred sixty healthy cats were prospectively recruited. They originated from 13 locations in North, Northeast, and Central Thailand and were presented for either preventive health care and/or neutering. In each cat, a physical examination was performed to confirm health status. FIV and FeLV status was determined using a commercial rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (SNAP Combo Plus FeLV/FIV, IDEXX). Risk factors were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Samples of 15/260 (5.8%) cats were positive for FIV antibodies, and 11/260 (4.2%) samples were positive for FeLV antigen. One of the 260 (0.4%) cats was positive for both, FIV and FeLV infection. In binary logistic regression analysis, no parameter was associated with a higher risk for FeLV infection. However, cats had a significantly (p = 0.025) higher risk for FIV infection when they were 2 years or older. FIV and FeLV infections occur in healthy cats in North, Northeast and Central Thailand, but prevalence was lower than expected. No risk factors for FeLV infection were detected, but risk for FIV infection increases with age

Leptospira infection and shedding in dogs in Thailand

Background Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis and has been recognized as a re-emerging infectious disease in humans and dogs, but prevalence of Leptospira shedding in dogs in Thailand is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine urinary shedding of Leptospira in dogs in Thailand, to evaluate antibody prevalence by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and to assess risk factors for Leptospira infection. In Northern, Northeastern, and Central Thailand, 273 stray (n = 119) or client-owned (n = 154) dogs from rural (n = 139) or urban (n = 134) areas were randomly included. Dogs that had received antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to sampling were excluded. No dog had received vaccination against Leptospira. Urine was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for lipL32 gene of pathogenic Leptospira. Additionally, urine was cultured for 6 months in Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) medium. Antibodies were measured by ELISA and MAT against 24 serovars belonging to 15 serogroups and 1 undesignated serogroup. Risk factor analysis was performed with backwards stepwise selection based on Wald. Results Twelve of 273 (4.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.0–6.8%) urine samples were PCR-positive. In 1/273 dogs (0.4%; 95% CI: 0.01–1.1%) Leptospira could be cultured from urine. MAT detected antibodies in 33/273 dogs (12.1%; 95% CI: 8.2–16.0%) against 19 different serovars (Anhoa, Australis, Ballum, Bataviae, Bratislava, Broomi, Canicola, Copenhageni, Coxi, Grippotyphosa, Haemolytica, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Khorat, Paidjan, Patoc, Pyrogenes, Rachmati, Saxkoebing, Sejroe). In 111/252 dogs (44.0%; 95% CI: 37.9–50.2%) immunoglobulin M (IgM) and/or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were found by ELISA. Female dogs had a significantly higher risk for Leptospira infection (p = 0.023)

Leptospira pre-protein translocase (secY) gene, partial cds.

Leptospira infection and shedding in dogs in Thailan

Leptospira pre-protein translocase (secY) gene, partial cds.

Leptospira infection and shedding in dogs in Thailan