Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in cats from the semiarid of the Paraíba State

Abstract

The aim of this survey was to determine de frequency of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies and the associated risk factors in stray and domiciled cats in the county of Patos, semiarid region of the Paraíba state. Blood samples from 129 cats (61 domiciled and 68 stray) were collected during the period of July to August 2011. For the anti-Leptospira spp. antibody search the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed using 24 serovars as antigens. Of the 129 cats examined seven (5.43%) were seropositive to serovar Pomona, with titers ranging from 200 to 3,200. Of the stray cats three (4.41%) were seropositive, and of the domiciled four (6.56%) presented anti-Leptospira spp. serovars. Relating to risk factor analysis the variables and respective categories associated with the higher seropositivity were age/> 48 months (p = 0.001), environment where the animal stays/grass (p = 0.009) and presence of rodents/yes (p = 0.020).