Jillian Myers Smith, Andrew Hanzlicek, Jennifer Weisent, Sarah Schmid, Xiaojuan Zhu, Lauren Courtney
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate Histoplasma seroprevalence and associated risk factors in free-roaming cats from 2 endemic regions: north central Oklahoma and eastern Tennessee.
Methods: Seroprevalence was determined using frozen serum samples from trap, neuter, release programs in Tennessee (n = 426) and Oklahoma (200) from 2013 to 2024. For Tennessee samples, those with complete signalment information were included. For Oklahoma samples, no demographic information was available. An anti-Histoplasma immunoglobulin G antibody enzyme immunoassay was used to evaluate for the presence of anti-Histoplasma immunoglobulin G, and results were categorized as positive, intermediate, or negative. The Fisher exact test was used to assess risk factor associations.
Results: In total, 51 of 626 (8.1%) tested positive or intermediate, and 575 of 626 (91.9%) were negative. Of the samples from Tennessee, 24 of 403 (6.0%) were seropositive. From Oklahoma, 4 of 200 (2.0%) were seropositive. Of 47 Tennessee samples with positive or intermediate results, the median was 10.3 ELISA units/mL (EU; range, 8 to 31.1; positive, ≥ 10.0 EU), and of 4 Oklahoma samples with positive or intermediate results, the median was 20.3 EU (range, 18.8 to 22.6). There was no association between retrovirus infection, sex, pregnancy status, or presence of injury/disease and Histoplasma seropositivity.
Conclusions: Our study is the first to document seropositivity of this regionally endemic fungus in free-roaming cats. Additional studies are encouraged to evaluate if similar seroprevalence is seen in indoor cats and if seropositivity is associated with clinical infection.
Clinical relevance: Given the reported seroprevalence of histoplasmosis in felines, continued monitoring for Histoplasma infection by veterinary practitioners is warranted.
期刊介绍：
The American Journal of Veterinary Research supports the collaborative exchange of information between researchers and clinicians by publishing novel research findings that bridge the gulf between basic research and clinical practice or that help to translate laboratory research and preclinical studies to the development of clinical trials and clinical practice. The journal welcomes submission of high-quality original studies and review articles in a wide range of scientific fields, including anatomy, anesthesiology, animal welfare, behavior, epidemiology, genetics, heredity, infectious disease, molecular biology, oncology, pharmacology, pathogenic mechanisms, physiology, surgery, theriogenology, toxicology, and vaccinology. Species of interest include production animals, companion animals, equids, exotic animals, birds, reptiles, and wild and marine animals. Reports of laboratory animal studies and studies involving the use of animals as experimental models of human diseases are considered only when the study results are of demonstrable benefit to the species used in the research or to another species of veterinary interest. Other fields of interest or animals species are not necessarily excluded from consideration, but such reports must focus on novel research findings. Submitted papers must make an original and substantial contribution to the veterinary medicine knowledge base; preliminary studies are not appropriate.
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