title: Intestinal parasites and vector-borne pathogens in stray and free-roaming cats living in continental and insular Greece.
abstract: This survey investigated the distribution of various intestinal parasites and vector-borne pathogens in stray and free-roaming cats living in four regions of Greece. A total number of one hundred and fifty cats living in three Islands (Crete, Mykonos and Skopelos) and in Athens municipality was established as a realistic aim to be accomplished in the study areas. All cats were examined with different microscopic, serological and molecular assays aiming at evaluating the occurrence of intestinal parasites, and exposure to or presence of vector-borne infections. A total of 135 cats (90%) was positive for one or more parasites and/or pathogens transmitted by ectoparasites. Forty-four (29.3%) cats were positive for one single infection, while 91 (60.7%) for more than one pathogen. A high number of (n. 53) multiple infections caused by feline intestinal and vector-borne agents including at least one zoonotic pathogen was detected. Among them, the most frequently recorded helminths were roundworms (Toxocara cati, 24%) and Dipylidium caninum (2%), while a high number of examined animals (58.8%) had seroreaction for Bartonella spp., followed by Rickettsia spp. (43.2%) and Leishmania infantum (6.1%). DNA-based assays revealed the zoonotic arthropod-borne organisms Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, Rickettsia spp., and L. infantum. These results show that free-ranging cats living in areas of Greece under examination may be exposed to a plethora of internal parasites and vector-borne pathogens, some of them potentially able to infect humans. Therefore, epidemiological vigilance and appropriate control measures are crucial for the prevention and control of these infections and to minimize the risk of infection for people.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diakou
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc., Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cesare
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc., Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo Matteo
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Accettura
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc., Teramo, Italy.|Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria MSV/UFF, Rua Vital Brasil Filho, 64 Icaraí, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc., Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iorio
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc., Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paoletti
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frangipane di Regalbono
authors.affiliation: Merial S.A.S, 29 Av Tony Garnier, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Lénaïg
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Halos
authors.affiliation: Merial S.A.S, 29 Av Tony Garnier, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beugnet
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc., Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Traversa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010271:Parasites / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*