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- Furry hosts and fungal guests: Investigating dermatophyte carriage in shelter and clinic cats and dogs of northern PortugalPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Quintas, Helder; Vieira, Ana Filipa; Pinto, Eduardo; Matos, Manuela; Soares, Ana; Cardoso, Luís Miguel; Coelho, Ana CláudiaDermatophytosis is a widespread fungal infection affecting both animals and humans, commonly known as ringworm. Dermatophytosis results in the breakdown of keratin, leading to skin, hair, and claw lesions, and has an important global prevalence that is often underestimated. While typically self-limiting, dermatophytosis can pose a severe risk due to its contagious nature, particularly in shelters. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dermatophytes in the fur of dogs and cats in animal shelters and pet clinics, shedding light on the importance of understanding and managing this infectious disease in both animal and human populations. To better understand the epidemiology of dermatophytes in Portugal, a study was conducted from March to May 2022. The prevalence of dermatophyte isolation in culture was evaluated. A total of 341 animals, 286 (83.9%) dogs and 55 (16.1%) cats were studied, and 45.0% (n=157) of the animals were from shelters, while 54.0% (n=184) were from clinics. Twenty-eight (8.2%) animals had skin lesions, and of these, four (14.3%) tested positive for dermatophytes. Dermatophytes were isolated from 12/341 studied animals. The prevalence of Microsporum canis was 3.2% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.6-5.7%), and the prevalence of Microsporum audouinii was 0.3% (CI 95%: 0.0-1.6%). Healthy dogs and cats without clinical signs were found to carry dermatophytes, stressing the potential for these animals to act as subclinical carriers and emphasizing the importance of pet-owner awareness regarding zoonotic risks and the need for ongoing research and surveillance to mitigate the risks associated with fungal infections.
- Leishmania seroprevalence in dogs: comparing shelter and domestic communitiesPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Quintas, Helder; Cardoso, Luís MiguelCanine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a chronic, systemic, and often severe disease. The main causative agent of CanL is a protozoan parasite, Leishmania infantum, with phlebotomine sand flies acting as vectors. In Europe and other continents, L. infantum is also responsible for leishmaniosis in other animals, such as cats, horses, and humans. In Portugal, animal and human leishmaniosis is endemic, and high prevalence levels of infections and disease have been reported in dogs. There is a prejudice against stray animals and also those housed in shelters, assuming they have higher levels of infection with vector-borne pathogens, including L. infantum, when compared to domestic animals. In northeastern Portugal, serum samples were obtained from March to May 2022 in three shelters (n = 179) and thirteen veterinary clinics (n = 164), resulting in 343 dogs being analyzed for antibodies to Leishmania spp. by the direct agglutination test (DAT). The overall seroprevalence was 9.9%, with 15.2% seroprevalence in domestic dogs and 5.0% in the shelter ones (p = 0.003). The fact that shelter dogs had a lower seroprevalence could be explained by more regular veterinary care provided in shelters regarding preventive measures, including insecticides with an antifeeding effect, in comparison with domestic dogs.
- Whisking away the veil: exploring feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus prevalence among shelter cats in PortugalPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Cardoso, Luís Miguel; Quintas, Helder; Coelho, Ana CláudiaFeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are important pathogens affecting feline hosts worldwide, compromising the health, well-being, quality of life, and lifespan of infected cats. This study explores the prevalence of these viral agents among shelter cats in Portugal, aiming to un-ravel their complexities and implications. The prevalence of FIV and FeLV was assessed by collecting blood samples (n = 326) from cats during medical routine check-ups at shelter admission and testing them with an immun-ochromatographic kit. The overall seroprev-alence of FIV and FeLV was 15.3% (50/326, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.6–19.7). The proportion of cats positive to FIV, FeLV, and both FIV and FeLV was 9.8% (32/326, 95% CI: 6.8-13.6), 2.1% (7/326, 95% CI: 0.9-4.4) and 3.4% (11/326, 95% CI: 1.7-6.0), respectively. The prevalence of FIV and both FeLV and FIV appeared to be higher in the adult population. No statistical association was found between sex, breed, hair, or municipality, and FeLV, FIV and both FeLV and FIV prevalence. This is the first report on retroviral prevalence in shelter cats in Portugal, which provides important information regarding FIV and FeLV among stray cats in Portugal, highlighting the need for surveillance of those viruses, improved compliance with vaccination programmes, and vigilant management strategies to limit and control these viruses in the feline population.
- Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia conorii Infections in Shelter Dogs: Seropositivity and Implications for Public HealthPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Lopes, Ana Patrícia; Quintas, Helder; Cardoso, Luís Miguel; Coelho, Ana CláudiaA cross-sectional study was conducted to gain insight into the epidemiology of canine ehrlichiosis and rickettsiosis in northern Portugal. Specific IgG antibodies to Ehrlichia canis were analysed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and antibodies to Rickettsia conorii were analysed using a commercial indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). A total of 113 dogs from two different shelters were sampled, and seroprevalence values of 0.9% (95% confidence (CI): 0.2-4.8%) for E. canis and 9.7 (95% CI: 5.5-16.6%) for R. conorii were found. Multiple logistic regression investigated risk factors for seropositivity. The odds ratios (ORs) of R. conorii seropositivity were higher for female dogs (OR = 6.429; 95% CI: 1.201-34.407). Dogs seropositive for co-infection (E. canis + R. conorii) were more frequently observed among females (OR = 7.606; CI 95%: 1.478-39.132) and in Shelter 2 (OR = 18.229; 95% CI: 2.190-151.756). These findings show that shelter dogs in northern Portugal are exposed to E. canis and R. conorii, which can affect both canines and humans. It is imperative to adopt a One Health approach to educate the public about the hazards of canine zoonoses and develop legislation and procedures to control their spread and preserve public health.
- Health Sentinels: Canine Parvovirus and Coronavirus in Portuguese Shelter DogsPublication . Afonso, Paulo; Cardoso, Luís Miguel; Quintas, Helder; Coelho, Ana CláudiaThis study investigates the prevalence of Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Canine Coronavirus (CCoV) among shelter dogs in Portugal. Despite advancements in veterinary medicine and widespread vaccination efforts, CPV and CCoV continue to pose significant health threats to the canine population, particularly in high-density environments such as shelters. Through a cross-sectional study involving 240 shelter dogs in five municipalities in Portugal, this study utilised an immunochromatographic technique for the simultaneous detection of CPV and CCoV antigens. The findings reveal a 6.2% and 9.2% prevalence of CPV and CCoV, respectively, with a co-infection prevalence of 4.6%, highlighting the persistent challenge these viruses represent. The study further explores the lack of significant association between infection prevalence and variables such as age, sex, breed, and municipality, suggesting that susceptibility to these infections may be broadly distributed among shelter dogs. By providing new insights into the epidemiology of CPV and CCoV within Portuguese shelters, this study contributes to the body of knowledge necessary for developing targeted strategies to manage and prevent these infectious diseases in high-risk canine populations.