Serologic and urinary survey of exposure to species in a feral cat population of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies show that cats could play an important role in the transmission of species. There are few reports of leptospirosis on Prince Edward Island (PEI) and none in cats. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies against serovars and of DNA in the urine of a population of free-roaming cats.

METHODS

Paired blood and urine samples were collected from 200 cats brought to a trap-neuter-return program. Antibody titers against six serovars (Bratislava, Canicola, Gryppotyphosa, Hardjo, Pomona, Icterohaemorrhagiae) were determined by microscopic agglutination test. PCR was performed on urine samples to identify urine shedding of DNA.

RESULTS

Antibodies were detected in 20/200 cats (10%) for at least one serovar, with titers ranging from 1:50 to 1:6400 (all serovars tested, except Hardjo). Urine samples of 7/200 cats (3.5%) were PCR-positive.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Feral cats in PEI had a higher than expected exposure to leptospirosis and can shed DNA from pathogenic species in urine. Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of exposure to leptospirosis in other species on PEI and the potential role of feral cats in transmission of the disease.