title: Serological evidence of exposure to Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Central Italian healthy domestic cats.
abstract: The aim of the present survey was to estimate the seroprevalences of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the Central Italian feline population. Serum samples of 560 healthy domestic cats were examined by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT), considering an antibody titre of 1:40 as cut-off. Seroprevalences of 6.4% and 4.5% were found for E. canis and A. phagocytophilum, respectively. Adult, mixed breed cats showed seroprevalences higher than younger and purebred subjects, whereas no differences were observed in relation to gender and living conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: vebani@vet.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Valentina V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Ebani
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertelloni
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002415:Cats; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
keywords: Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Cat; Ehrlichia canis; Serology