Serological prevalence study of exposure of cats and dogs in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia to spotted fever group rickettsiae.
A sero-epidemiological study of cats and dogs in the Launceston area of Tasmania, Australia was undertaken to determine the prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Results showed that 59% of cats and 57% of dogs were positive for antibodies, but there was no correlation between the animal's health and seropositivity at the time of testing, suggesting that rickettsial exposure is unrelated to ill-health in these two species of domestic animals.
Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory Foundation, Barwon Biomedical Research, The Geelong Hospital, Ryrie Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia. Leonardi@barwonhealth.org.au
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Izzard
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Cox
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Stenos
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Waterston
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Fenwick
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Graves
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000382:microbiology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000276:immunology*; D012284:Rickettsia rickettsii / Q000276:immunology; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013648:Tasmania / Q000453:epidemiology; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial