title: Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in domesticated and feral cats in eastern Australia.
abstract: The seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in cats in eastern Australia is unknown, and the risk of transmission from cats to humans is undetermined. This study aimed to determine the exposure of cats to C. burnetii in four distinct cat subpopulations. An indirect immunofluoresence assay (IFA) and an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used for detection of anti-C. burnetii antibodies in humans were adapted, verified for use on feline serum, and compared. Cat serum samples (n=712) were tested with IFA from four subpopulations [cattery-confined breeding cats, pet cats, feral cats and shelter cats]. The proportions of seropositive cats were; cattery-confined breeding cats (35/376, 9.3%), pets (2/198, 1%), feral cats (0/50), shelter cats (0/88). The significant variables in C. burnetii seropositivity were cattery-confined breeding cat subpopulation and sterilisation status, with infected cats 17.1 (CI 4.2-70.2; P<0.001) times more likely to be cattery-confined breeding cats and 6.00 (CI 2.13-16.89; P<0.001) times more likely to be entire than sterilised. ELISA was used on 143 of 712 sera tested with IFA, and the Cohen's Kappa coefficient of 0.75 indicated 92.2% agreement between the two assays. These results confirm that Australian cats have been exposed to C. burnetii and that a higher seroprevalence of C. burnetii is seen amongst cattery-confined breeding cats. Cat breeders and veterinary personnel involved in feline reproductive procedures may be at higher risk of exposure to C. burnetii.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Building B14, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, PMB 4003, Narellan, NSW 2567, Australia.
authors.forename: Katrina L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Bosward
authors.affiliation: School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Building B14, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: jacqui.norris@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jacqueline M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Norris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011778:Q Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial
keywords: Cats; Coxiella burnetii; ELISA; Indirect immunofluorescence (IFA); Q fever; Serological assays