Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Leishmania spp. in cats of West Aegean Region, Turkey

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Although dogs are considered to be primary reservoir hosts of Leishmania spp., several mammals, such as foxes, jackals and small rodents may also be hosts of different Leishmania spp. Previously, cats were considered as asymptomatic hosts of the parasite without acting as a reservoir. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of leishmaniasis cases in cats, especially in regions where the infection endemically occurs. This data indicate that cats are more likely to be one of the main reservoirs of Leishmania spp. rather than being a non-reservoir host. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Leishmania spp. by molecular and serological techniques among owned and stray cats in four different cities located in western part of Turkey. A total of 386 blood and 301 serum samples were collected from cats in Western Turkey where leishmaniasis is endemic. Feline serum samples were tested by IFAT to detect IgG antibodies against Leishmania spp. antigens. Blood samples collected from 386 cats were examined by PCR for the presence of Leishmania spp. According to PCR results using RV1/RV2 primers, nine (2.3%) out of 386 samples were positive for Leishmania spp. Further PCR analysis using MC1/MC2 primers showed that one cat in Izmir was found to be infected with L. infantum/donovani complex. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of L. infantum, L. major and L. tropica among sampled cats in western part of Turkey. On the other hand, IFAT results indicated that an overall of 47 out of 301 (15.6%) cats that examined by PCR were found to have anti-Leishmania antibodies. Also, six of the seropositive cats were owned animals. The present study demonstrated that both owned and stray cats can be infected with Leishmania spp. and might be potential reservoirs for other animals and humans. Therefore, all communities living in or nearby endemic regions should be made aware of the role of cats as potential reservoirs of infection. In endemic regions, all animals should be protected against infection with insecticides and monitored routinely to control the spread of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis.