title: Infectious disease prevalence in a feral cat population on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
abstract: Ninety-six feral cats from Prince Edward Island were used to determine the prevalence of selected infectious agents. The prevalence rates were 5.2% for feline immunodeficiency virus, 3.1% for feline leukemia virus, 3.1% for Mycoplasma haemofelis, 8.4% for Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, 2.1% for Bartonella spp. and 29.8% for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. Oocysts of T. gondii were detected in 1.3% of the fecal samples that were collected. Gender and retroviral status of the cats were significantly correlated with hemoplasma infections. Use of a flea comb showed that 9.6% of the cats had fleas; however, flea infestation was not associated with any of the infectious agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stojanovic
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D001473:Bartonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005256:Leukemia Virus, Feline / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D011325:Prince Edward Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification