Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences

First Serological detection of Leishmania spp of domestic and stray cats in Al-Qadisiyah Province, Iraq

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Al-Diwaniyah Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq

2 Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq

10.29079/qjvms.2025.156213.1054

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a major mosquito-borne disease due to protozoa of Leishmania genus which spread by sand flies' bites. This study was conducted to detect Leishmaniasis in domestic and stray cats by using serological test (Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay -ELISA) and to determine the effects of sex, age and months on the infection rate in Al-Qadisiyah Province. A total of 142 samples were collected during the period from the first of July to the end of December/ 2024. Leishmaniasis IgG antibodies were detected rate 20.42% (29/142) of the cats by indirect ELISA. High infection rate was recorded in stray cats 28.37% (21/73), compared to domestic cats 11.76% (8/68), with significant difference at P<0.05. the prevalence rate was in males 23.28% (17/73) and in females 17.39% (12/69) without significant difference at P≥0.05. Moreover, the highest infection rate in domestic cats was observed in the adult was 15.55% (7/45) while the lowest in kittens 4.34% (1/23), without significant difference at P<0.05. The prevalence was altered during various months studied where the highest and lowest rate was recorded (34.61%) and (4.54%) in September and July respectively, without significant difference at P≥0.05. For the first time, Leishmaniasis was recorded to infected stray and domestic cats in Iraq

Keywords

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Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 1
January 2025
Pages 110-115
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