Journal
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
Volume 82, Issue 1, Pages 22-26Publisher
W B SAUNDERS CO LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.06.003
Keywords
cats; Tularemia; Francisella tularensis; antibodies; ticks
Categories
Funding
- NHLBI NIH HHS [HR8/CCH113382-01] Funding Source: Medline
- PHS HHS [CCU111188-01] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Blood samples were obtained from privately owned cats in Connecticut and New York State, USA in 1985-1990, and analyzed for evidence of Francisella tularensis, the etiologic agent of tularemia. Of the 91 sera tested by microagglutination (MA) methods, 11 (12%) contained antibodies to F tularensis. Analyses of the same sera by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining methods revealed 22 (24%) positives. There was good agreement in results of both tests (73% concordance). However, we measured higher titers (1:80 to 1:640) with IFA analysis than by MA methods (1:80 to 1:160). Both tests were suitable for general screening purposes. The DNA of F. tularensis was not detected in the 24 antibody-positive sera tested. Cats living in Connecticut and New York State were naturally exposed to F. tularensis or a closely related organism. With exposure to ticks, other biting arthropods, mice, and rabbits, cats are at risk for acquiring F. tularensis infections and can be an important source of information on the presence of this agent in nature. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available