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Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis, an emerging and often neglected zoonosis in South America, particularly Brazil. Felines, the only definitive hosts, excrete oocysts in their feces, potentially infecting all homeotherms. Domestic cats are primarily responsible for contaminating human environments with these oocysts. Monitoring their populations is therefore essential to ensure proper toxoplasmosis prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of T. gondii and exposure factors in a population of owner cats in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. A total of 267 blood samples were collected from domestic cats aged between 1 and 15 years and tested with an immunofluorescence antibody test. The seroprevalence of antibodies against T. gondii was only 17.22% (46/267 individuals). This result therefore suggests a low contribution of domestic cats to T. gondii contamination of the urban environment. The cats’ age and living environment were identified as risk factors for cat exposure to T. gondii.

A vulva é responsável pela proteção e auxílio na cópula, sendo também um importante indicador do cio dos animais domésticos. A fêmea pode sofrer uma malformação ainda na fase fetal, resultando na ausência completa da vulva, caracterizando a agenesia. Esta afecção rara pode deixar a fêmea susceptível a muitos micro-organismos que podem atingir até outros sistemas e comprometer a vitalidade do animal, além de dificultar a cópula e ser transmitida à prole, sendo importante a castração e reconstrução do órgão, para evitar a maior ocorrência de novos casos e complicações. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies on infections by Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in cats in the North Region of Brazil are scarce. We intended to assess the seroprevalence in cats of anti- T. gondii and anti- N. caninum antibodies, as well as the associated risk factors that may lead them to contract these infections in Rolim de Moura, state of Rondônia, North Brazil. For this, blood serum samples of 100 cats from different regions of the city were evaluated. To assess possible factors associated with infections, epidemiological questionnaires were applied to tutors. The Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) was performed for anti- T. gondii (cutoff 1:16) and anti- N. caninum (cutoff 1:50) antibodies. After identifying the positive samples, antibody titration was performed. The results showed the prevalence of 26% (26/100) of anti- T. gondii antibodies, with titration varying between 1:16 to 1:8192. There were no factors associated with the prevalence of anti- T. gondii antibodies in the multivariate analysis in this study. There was no occurrence of seropositive cats for anti- N. caninum . It was concluded that there was a high prevalence of anti- T. gondii antibodies in cats in Rolim de Moura, state of Rondônia, North Brazil. However, the evaluated animals did not present anti- N. caninum antibodies. Therefore, knowing that T. gondii has different transmission forms, we emphasize the importance of spreading more information to the population about cat's relevance in the T. gondii life cycle and how to avoid the parasite transmission and proliferation.

Feline sporotrichosis has emerged as an important public health issue in some countries, especially Brazil. Currently, zoonotic transmission of Sporothrix brasiliensis by domestic cats is the major sporotrichosis spread form throughout this country. Sporotrichosis in Brazil is a good model for the One Health concept application, which connects the environment, human and animal health. Under this thinking, the aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of sporotrichosis in cats from Rolim de Moura, Rondônia, Brazil, using antibody detection by an ELISA test previously validated for human diagnosis. For the standardization of this test, 30 serum samples from cats with proven sporotrichosis and 11 sera from healthy cats were used. The assay showed 87% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the diagnosis of feline sporotrichosis. After the standardization, 202 serum samples from distinct cats from Rolim de Moura were evaluated. The test was positive in 63 (31.19%) cats from the studied area. A multivariate analysis revealed that living far from forest or agricultural areas as well as pure breed animals had higher odds ratios (3.157 and 2.281, respectively) for the presence of detectable levels of anti-Sporothrix antibodies. These results show the applicability of this assay in the detection of anti-Sporothrix antibodies in feline serum samples and point to a putative new occurrence area of urban sporotrichosis dispersing to the North region of Brazil., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)