<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coinfection with pathogens Bartonella henselae, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline leukemia virus in stray cats from the area of Novi Sad and Belgrade, Serbia. Each of 60 individual cats was clinically examined and the blood sampled. Therewithal an epidemiological survey was made. Blood sera were separated by centrifugation and serologically tested in order to determine the presence of Bartonella henselae specific antibodies (by direct immunofluorescence assay), feline immunodeficiency virus specific antibodies (by rapid test SNAP Combo) and feline leukemia virus antigens (by rapid test SNAP Combo). Of the 60 cat sera, serologically examined using IFA test, 33 (55%) were positive for the presence of IgG specifi c to B. henselae antigens. A total of 13 (27%) of the 60 tested cat sera were positive for the presence of specific antibodies to FIV antigens. None of the 60 tested cat sera were positive for the presence of FeLV antigen. Of the 33 cat sera which contained IgG antibodies to B. henselae, 6 cat sera also gave a positive reaction to the presence of specific IgG antibodies to FIV; this was a coinfection seroprevalence of 10% in the total population of studied cats. The results obtained in this study indicate the presence of B. henselae and FIV coinfection in cats from Serbia, without FeLV positive cats. An increase in the manifestations of clinical symptoms in cats in which the serological tests determined coinfection with B. henselae and FIV is evident compared to those seropositive only to B. henselae.</p></abstract>

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coinfection with pathogens Bartonella henselae, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline leukemia virus in stray cats from the area of Novi Sad and Belgrade, Serbia. Each of 60 individual cats was clinically examined and the blood sampled. Therewithal an epidemiological survey was made. Blood sera were separated by centrifugation and serologically tested in order to determine the presence of Bartonella henselae specific antibodies (by direct immunofluorescence assay), feline immunodeficiency virus specific antibodies (by rapid test SNAP Combo) and feline leukemia virus antigens (by rapid test SNAP Combo). Of the 60 cat sera, serologically examined using IFA test, 33 (55%) were positive for the presence of IgG specifi c to B. henselae antigens. A total of 13 (27%) of the 60 tested cat sera were positive for the presence of specific antibodies to FIV antigens. None of the 60 tested cat sera were positive for the presence of FeLV antigen. Of the 33 cat sera which contained IgG antibodies to B. henselae, 6 cat sera also gave a positive reaction to the presence of specific IgG antibodies to FIV; this was a coinfection seroprevalence of 10% in the total population of studied cats. The results obtained in this study indicate the presence of B. henselae and FIV coinfection in cats from Serbia, without FeLV positive cats. An increase in the manifestations of clinical symptoms in cats in which the serological tests determined coinfection with B. henselae and FIV is evident compared to those seropositive only to B. henselae.

Occurrence of Bartonella Henselae, Felv and Fiv Infection in 60 Stray Cats from Serbia/Pojava Bartonella Henselae, Felv I Fiv Infekcije Kod 60 Uličnih Mačaka U Srbiji

University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, Novi Sad, Serbia

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bulevar oslobođenja 18, Beograd, Serbia

University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Managament, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, Serbia

Acta Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coinfection with pathogens Bartonella henselae, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline leukemia...

Occurrence of Bartonella Henselae, Felv and Fiv Infection in 60 Stray Cats from Serbia/Pojava Bartonella Henselae, Felv I Fiv Infekcije Kod 60 Uličnih Mačaka U Srbiji

Published Online: Oct 03, 2014

Page range: 378 - 385

Received: Jan 22, 2014

Accepted: Mar 13, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2014-0036

Keywords
Bartonella henselae, cats, coinfection, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus

© by Vračar Vuk

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Occurrence of Bartonella Henselae, Felv and Fiv Infection in 60 Stray Cats from Serbia/Pojava Bartonella Henselae, Felv I Fiv Infekcije Kod 60 Uličnih Mačaka U Srbiji

Published Online: Oct 03, 2014

Page range: 378 - 385

Received: Jan 22, 2014

Accepted: Mar 13, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/acve-2014-0036

KeywordsBartonella henselae, cats, coinfection, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus

© by Vračar Vuk

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Bartonella henselae, cats, coinfection, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukaemia virus