Bartonella henselae Antibodies in Serum and Oral Fluid Specimens from Cats

Cats are the primary reservoir host for Bartonella henselae(B. henselae), an etiological agent of human bartonellosis, including cat scratch disease. Although Bartonella DNA has been amplified from salivary swabs from cats, dogs and humans, we are not aware of studies investigating Bartonella antibo...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Álvarez-Fernández, Alejandra, Breitschwerdt, Edward|||0000-0002-3506-0279, Solano Gallego, Laia|||0000-0001-8479-4896, Baxarias, Marta|||0000-0002-1830-4366, Prandi Chevalier, David|||0000-0003-4793-4209
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:237967
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/237967
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.3390/pathogens10030329
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Fèlids
Gats
Malalties
Bartonellosis
Feline
Serology
Immunofluorescence antibody assay
Oral fluid
Descripción
Sumario:Cats are the primary reservoir host for Bartonella henselae(B. henselae), an etiological agent of human bartonellosis, including cat scratch disease. Although Bartonella DNA has been amplified from salivary swabs from cats, dogs and humans, we are not aware of studies investigating Bartonella antibodies in oral fluid (OF). Using inhouse and commercial immunofluorescence antibody assays (IFA), the objective of this study was to detect and compare antibodies against B. henselae in paired OF and serum specimens from cats. Specimens were collected from shelter and client-owned cats. For serum specimens, B. henselae seroreactivity was 78% for both the inhouse and commercial IFA assays and 56.8% for OF specimens. Comparing serum and OF specimens, there was moderate Kappa agreement (Cohen's k = 0.434) for detection of B. henselae antibodies. Oral fluid antibodies were more likely measurable in cats with high B. henselae serum antibody titers when compared with low antibody titers. In conclusion, B. henselae OF IFA antibody measurements were less sensitive compared to serum IFA measurements of ≥1:64. Oral fluid antibodies were detected more often in cats with high B. henselae serum antibody titers. Therefore, OF antibodies, detectable by IFA, is of limited utility for epidemiological or diagnostic testing in cats.