Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in Stray Cats from Northern Italy: A Serological and Molecular Survey.

Cats may be affected by a wide range of arthropod-borne pathogens (ABPs) of medical and veterinary interest. Between February 2018 and October 2019, 85 blood samples were collected from stray cats from the Emilia Romagna region (northern Italy). Ticks ( = 28) on the examined cats were also collected. Serological and molecular methods were applied to search for infection by , , , , spp., spp., spp., and spp. A total of 71 sera (83.5%) had antibodies to at least one investigated pathogen: 39 (45.9%) were positive for , 32 (37.6%) positive for , 12 (14.1%) positive for , four (4.7%) positive for , and two (2.4%) positive for spp. A total of 47 (55.3%) DNA samples were positive by PCR for at least one investigated pathogen: 25 (29.4%) were positive for , 23 (27.1%) positive for , two (2.4%) positive for , five (5.9%) positive for spp., and two (2.4%) positive for spp. Coinfections were observed in 21 cats (24.7%). No positivity was found for , spp., or spp. All ticks were negative. A widespread presence of ABPs in the investigated area of northern Italy was shown. Accurate information on their prevalence may be relevant for feline veterinary medicine, as well as from a One Health perspective.