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PubMed2005

Mutations in feline immunodeficiency (FIV) virus envelope gene V3-V5 regions in FIV-infected cats.

The envelope (Env) gene V3-V5 regions of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) encode the neutralizing epitopes. Since mutations in these regions induce resistance to viral neutralizing antibodies, they may influence the effects of vaccines. To examine the in vivo mutation rate in these regions, we cloned cDNA for the Env gene V3-V5 regions from the PBMC of experimentally FIV-infected cats, and compared the deduced amino acid sequences. Blood or plasma from an FIV Shizuoka strain-infected cat was inoculated into a second group of SPF cats, and their blood or plasma was inoculated into the third group. The amino acid sequence encoded by the viral gene of the first cat was compared with those encoded by the viral genes of a total of eight cats in the second and third groups (two and six cats, respectively). The amino acid sequences in two cats in the second and third groups were 100% homologous and in one cat in the third group was 98.3% homologous to that in the first infected cat. Five cats had the same sequence, which was 97.8% homologous to that in the first infected cat. Three kittens, born 2 months after the inoculation of the FIV Aomori-2 strain into the mother cat, were anti-FIV negative at 4 weeks after birth, but became seropositive at 33 weeks after birth, confirming FIV infection. Comparison of the encoded amino acid sequences of the viral gene in two cats at 48 weeks after birth showed 100% homology to that of the virus inoculated into the mother cat, and the remaining one cat had a single residue substitution, resulting in 99.4% homology. These results suggest that the FIV Env gene V3-V5 regions are stably maintained for at least 1-2 years after infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

The optimal intravenous dose of midazolam after intravenous ketamine in healthy awake cats.

The effects of intravenous administration of variable-dose midazolam (0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg) were studied in twenty-four healthy unmedicated cats from time of administration until full recovery. End-points were chosen to determine the optimal dose to allow a short period of restraint without noxious stimuli, a short period of restraint with noxious stimuli and endotracheal intubation. Recovery characteristics, as well as undesirable behaviours observed during recovery, were also recorded. The dose of midazolam to achieve lateral recumbency with head down was found to be 0.016 mg/kg in 50% of the population (ED50) and 0.054 mg/kg in 95% (ED95) of the population. A midazolam dose of 0.286 mg/kg was required to prevent conscious perception of a stimulus to the ulnar nerve in 50% of the population and 0.652 mg/kg in 95% of the population. The ED50 and ED95 of midazolam required to prevent swallowing in response to a laryngoscope placed on the back of the tongue were found to be 0.265 mg/kg and 0.583 mg/kg, respectively. The ED50 doses of 0.265 mg/kg for intubation and 0.286 mg/kg for restraint with noxious stimulation were close to the tested dose of 0.3 mg/kg. At that dose, the lack of responses lasted 3.67 +/- 2.27 min for laryngoscope and 2.50 +/- 2.20 min for ulnar nerve stimulation, with recovery to walking with ataxia taking 41.50 +/- 15.18 min and complete recovery taking 3.6 +/- 1.3 h. The predominant behavioural pattern during recovery was found to be normal, but some cats also exhibited abnormal behavioural patterns. Nine of the twelve cats exhibited an abnormal arousal state, with 4 being restless and 5 being sedated. Seven of the twelve cats exhibited an abnormal behaviour when approached, with three of the cats being more difficult to approach and four of the cats being easier to approach. Eight of the twelve cats exhibited an abnormal behavioural pattern when restrained, with the cats equally divided between more difficult and easier to restrain. Five of the twelve cats vocalized more during the recovery. The ED50 of 0.042 mg/kg to induce chemical restraint without a noxious stimulus is close to the tested dose of 0.05 mg/kg. At that dose, cats remained lateral with head down for 5.49 +/- 4.02 min, took 25.96 +/- 5.77 min to walk with ataxia and 1.7 +/- 0.4 h for complete recovery. The predominant behavioural patterns during recovery were normal, with several cats exhibiting some abnormal patterns. Two cats were sedated, one cat was more difficult to approach, one cat was easier to restrain and three cats were more vocal.

Anesthetics, Dissociative↗

PubMed1998

Vitamin B-6 deficiency and level of dietary protein affect hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase activity in cats.

Total activity [pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) added in the assay] of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) measured in cats at 0300, 0900, 1500 and 2100h was 10.3 +/-1.1, 14.0 +/- 0.7, 9.8 +/- 1.3 and 11.0 +/- 0.7 nkat/g liver, indicating little diurnal variation. Activity after 18 h of food deprivation was 10.0 +/- 0.3 nkat/g liver, also not different from cats that were eating ad libitum. These findings support the idea that cats have only limited changes in the activity of hepatic TAT compared with rats. Total TAT activity was measured in cats fed high protein (550 g/kg) and low protein (180 g/kg) diets for 4 wk. Cats fed a high protein diet had activities significantly higher (about twice) than cats fed the low protein diet. Hepatic TAT activity of vitamin B-6-deficient cats (diet without pyridoxine for 9 wk) was compared with cats given the same diet with 8 mg pyridoxine/kg. Total hepatic TAT activity in deficient cats was significantly (P < 0.05) lower per gram soluble or total protein (but not per gram liver) than control cats; holoenzyme activity and percentage of active enzyme in deficient cats were also significantly lower by 75 and 64%, respectively. The apparent Km of TAT from cats for tyrosine (2.1 mmol/L) was similar to that for rats (1.9 mmol/L), but higher for PLP in cats (0.16 micromol/L) than rats (0.034 micromol/L). Part of the reason for the higher plasma tyrosine in vitamin B-6-deficient cats than rats is the higher Km of TAT for PLP in cats than rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Pharmacokinetics, neuromuscular effects, and biodisposition of 3-desacetylvecuronium (Org 7268) in cats.

The pharmacokinetics, biodisposition, and neuromuscular blocking properties of 3-desacetylvecuronium were studied in 17 adult cats. Animals were divided into three groups: five cats with kidney failure induced by bilateral ligation of the renal pedicles, six cats with galactosamine-induced fulminant hepatitis, and six control cats. An intravenous bolus of 300 micrograms.kg-1 of 3-desacetylvecuronium was rapidly injected into the jugular vein. Arterial blood, urine, and bile samples were collected at regular intervals for 6 h in control cats and for 8 h in cats with kidney or liver failure. The liver was excised for analysis at the end of the experiment. In cats with renal failure, 3-desacetylvecuronium pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variables did not differ from those in control cats. In cats with liver failure, plasma clearance was significantly less and mean residence time greater than in control cats (2.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 14.1 +/- 6.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 and 334 +/- 225 vs. 49 +/- 29 min, mean +/- SD, respectively). Volume of distribution at steady state in cats with liver failure and in control cats was not different. Also, in cats with liver failure, the duration of action and recovery index of 3-desacetylvecuronium was significantly greater than in control cats (168 +/- 62 vs. 82 +/- 32 min, and 39 +/- 19 vs. 10 +/- 4 min, respectively). Onset time of neuromuscular blockade was similar in all three groups. Total recovery of 3-desacetylvecuronium, for all three groups, in urine, bile, and liver was 90 +/- 11% (mean +/- SD). In control cats, 70 +/- 18% of 3-desacetylvecuronium was recovered in bile and liver and 19 +/- 14% in urine. No 3,17-bidesacetylvecuronium (a putative 3-desacetylvecuronium metabolite) was detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Allergenicity and cross-reactivity of cat and dog allergenic extracts.

This study aims to confirm that cat allergen 1 (CAT-1) is a major allergenic determinant in cat-sensitive patients, and to further define the role of other determinants, as well as to identify the determinants responsible for the cross-reactivity between cat and dog extracts. Firstly, the allergenic determinant with an electrophoretic mobility of 18 kD (corresponding to CAT-1) is indeed a major allergenic determinant being recognized by the majority (75%) of cat-sensitive subjects. Secondly, the cross-reactivity between the two species was confirmed by RAST inhibition. Cat and dog soluble allergens could inhibit, to variable degrees, the binding of serum IgE from cat- and dog-sensitive patients to insolubilized allergens. binding of serum IgE from subjects sensitive only to cats was inhibited by cat extracts only. These observations suggest the presence of determinants common to the two sources of extracts, and others specific for each species. These data were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Indeed, an allergenic determinant of 69 kD was found in both cat and dog extracts. Conversely the allergenic determinants with an electrophoretic mobility of 18 and 32 kD were found only in cat extracts, and those at 22 and 24 kD were dog specific. However, surprisingly, serum IgE antibodies from patients sensitive only to cats reacted on immunoblot differently from those of both cat- and dog-allergic subjects. Indeed, the 18 kD determinant was the only one recognized by serum IgE antibodies from subjects sensitive to cats only, as opposed to the patients allergic to both species: then, the 69 kD determinant was strongly recognized and the 18 kD only slightly recognized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of 3 techniques for ureteroneocystostomy in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To compare 3 techniques for ureteroneocystostomy in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental surgical study. ANIMALS: Fifteen adult cats. METHODS: Cats (15) had ureteroneocystostomy with ureteronephrectomy of the contralateral kidney: 5 cats had an intravesical mucosal apposition technique (modified Leadbetter-Politano; intravesical-MA group), 5 cats had extravesical ureteroneocystostomy (modified Lich Gregoir) using a simple continuous suture pattern (extravesical-SC group) and 5 cats had an extravesical technique using a simple interrupted suture pattern (extravesical-SI group). Renal function was evaluated by measuring serum creatinine concentration. Ultrasonographic assessment of the kidney and ureteroneocystostomy site was performed the day after surgery, twice weekly for 3 weeks and once weekly for the remainder of the study. Cats were euthanatized 50 days after surgery. The kidney and ureter removed at surgery, the remaining kidney, ureter, ureteroneocystostomy site, and bladder were examined histologically. RESULTS: Two extravesical-SC cats were euthanatized because of azotemia and uroabdomen, and 1 died acutely at day 4 for unknown reasons. In the intravesical-MA and extravesical-SI cats, the serum creatinine concentration increased after surgery, peaking at a mean (+/-SD) of 9.4+/-2.4 mg/dL and 4.9+/-3.3 mg/dL on day 3, and decreasing to 3.4+/-5.7 mg/dL and 1.5+/-0.4 mg/dL on day 7, respectively. The extravesical-SI technique was associated with consistently lower serum creatinine concentrations for the first week after surgery compared with the other techniques. The mean serum creatinine concentration was within the reference range in cats in the intravesical-MA and extravesical-SI groups by days 10 and 5, respectively. Renal pelvic dilatation occurred in all cats but resolved more rapidly in cats after extravesical techniques. There was no significant difference in serum creatinine concentrations or renal pelvic dilation between the intravesical-MA and extravesical-SI techniques. Bladder mass height at the anastomosis site was significantly larger and persisted for longer with intravesical-MA technique. CONCLUSION: An extravesical-SI technique is seemingly the choice for ureteroneocystostomy in cats with undilated ureters. Renal pelvic dilation on ultrasound examination should be expected after ureteroneocystostomy in cats. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An extravesical ureteroneocystostomy technique using a simple interrupted pattern for anastomosis should be considered in cats undergoing renal transplantation.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Detection of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) nucleic acids in FIV-seronegative cats.

A study was undertaken to determine the rate of viral transmission among naive specific-pathogen-free (SPF) cats living in close contact with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cats. Twenty SPF cats were housed in the same rooms with experimentally FIV-infected seropositive and virus culture-positive cats for 2 to 4 years and were monitored for the presence of FIV nucleic acids and antibodies. Only 1 of the 20 cats became seropositive and virus culture positive and developed signs of disease. Genomic DNA from bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 10 of 19 healthy-appearing seronegative cats became positive for FIV DNA by the polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-eight SPF cats housed as groups in separate quarters and never exposed to FIV-infected cats were uniformly negative for FIV DNA. FIV RNA transcripts were detected in concanavalin A-stimulated PBMC cultures from 4 of 10 FIV DNA-positive, seronegative cats by in situ hybridization. PBMC from three of four naive SPF cats acquired FIV nucleic acids after the cats were transfused with blood and bone marrow from FIV genome-positive, seronegative donors. Three of five FIV-seronegative cats housed for years with naturally FIV-infected cats in a private household were also found to harbor FIV DNA, indicating that the same phenomenon occurred in the field. These findings demonstrate that cats living in close contact with FIV-infected seropositive cats can acquire FIV nucleic acids without developing detectable levels of serum antibodies or disease.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Locomotion of the hindlimbs after neurectomy of ankle flexors in intact and spinal cats: model for the study of locomotor plasticity.

To study the potential plasticity of locomotor networks in the spinal cord, an important issue for locomotor rehabilitation after spinal injuries, we have investigated the locomotor performance of cats before and after a unilateral denervation of the ankle flexors tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) both in cats with intact spinal cord and after spinalization. The effects of the inactivation of the ankle flexors were studied in three cats with intact spinal cord during periods of 4-7 wk. Cats adapted their locomotor performance very rapidly within a few days so that the locomotor behavior appeared to be unchanged practically. However, kinematic analyses of video records often revealed small but consistent increase in knee and/or hip flexion. These changes were accompanied by some increase in the amplitude of knee and hip flexor muscle activity. Cats maintained a regular and symmetrical walking pattern over the treadmill for several minutes. Two of these cats then were spinalized at T13 and studied for approximately 1 mo afterward. Whereas normally cats regain a regular and symmetrical locomotor pattern after spinalization, these cats had a disorganized and asymmetrical locomotor pattern with a predominance of knee flexion and absence of plantar foot contact of the denervated limb. Another cat first was spinalized and allowed to recuperate a regular symmetrical locomotor performance. Then it also was submitted to the same unilateral ankle flexor inactivation and studied for approximately 50 days. The cat maintained a well-organized symmetrical gait although there was almost no ankle flexion on the denervated side. There was no exaggerated knee hyperflexion and gait asymmetry as seen in the two previous cats spinalized only after they had adapted to the denervation of ankle flexors. It is concluded that, after muscle denervation, locomotor adaptation is achieved through changes occurring at different levels. Because cats spinalized after adaptation to the neurectomy had an asymmetrical locomotor pattern dominated by hyperflexion, it is suggested that the spinal circuitry has been modified during the adaptive process, presumably through the action of corrective supraspinal inputs. Indeed spinal cats do not normally display such abnormal hyperflexions, and neither did the one cat denervated after spinalization. On the other hand, because the modified locomotor pattern in the spinal state is not functional and contains only some aspects of the compensatory response seen before spinalization, it is suggested that the complete functional adaptation observed in intact cats after peripheral nerve lesions may depend on changes occurring at the spinal and the supraspinal levels.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Effect of the ganglioside GM1 on neurologic function, electroencephalogram amplitude, and histology in chronic middle cerebral artery occlusion in cats.

The effect of the ganglioside GM1 on amplitude of the electroencephalogram, neurologic function, and histology has been studied in chronic middle cerebral artery occlusion in cats. Ischemia was produced by a 2-hour occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery and was followed by a 7-day observation period. GM1 was intravenously administered 30 minutes after occlusion and daily during the observation period. Using the reduction in the electroencephalogram amplitude to measure stroke severity, three cats with mild, three cats with moderate, and three cats with severe stroke were treated with 5 mg/kg GM1. Nine cats, three in each group, were treated with 30 mg/kg GM1, while nine cats, three in each group, received middle cerebral artery occlusion but no treatment. In all cats there was a precipitous fall in mean electroencephalogram amplitude during occlusion, followed by a secondary fall during the observation period. Treated cats showed better recovery of electroencephalogram amplitude during the first 4 hours of reperfusion and a smaller secondary fall than untreated cats. Treated cats, especially those treated with 5 mg/kg GM1, showed significant recovery of neurologic deficits compared with untreated cats. Histologic damage was less in treated cats than in untreated cats. Some cats treated with 30 mg/kg GM1 exhibited convulsions, whereas no untreated cat showed any seizure activity. Our findings suggest that gangliosides may improve the recovery of both neurologic deficits and morphologic damage in the central nervous system. These positive effects might be tentatively explained by stimulation of enzymatic activities such as Na+, K+-ATPase and adenyl cyclase.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Induced ovulation in cats using porcine pituitary gland preparation during the non-breeding season.

An attempt was made to induce ovulation in 19 cats during the non-breeding season by the administration of a porcine pituitary gland preparation. The dosage was 2 mg for the first day and then 1 mg for each day until estrus was induced. Studies were made to determine whether fertilization and pregnancy were possible by mating at the time of induced estrus. Estrus was induced in 89.5% (17/19) of the cats, 3-8 days after the first administration. The average number of ovulations induced by mating was 7.3 +/- 1.3 (mean +/- SE) for 16 cats (excluding one cat that failed to ovulate). The uterine horn was flushed 6-8 days after mating in 9 of the 16 ovulated cats to determine the fertilization rate. An average of 3.6 ova were recovered from 8 out of the 9 cats (including one cat from which no ovum was recovered) which gave an average recovery rate of 38.6%. Expanded blastocysts were recovered from 5 cats, while from the other 3 cats, only unfertilized ova were recovered. Pregnancy was confirmed in the other 7 cats 15-20 days after mating. In two of the 7 cats implantation was observed, but abortion occurred at 24 and 27 days of pregnancy. Plasma progesterone concentrations were lower in the estrus-induced and bred cats as compared to these in the controls, with progesterone values approaching base concentrations, approximately by day 20 in 2 cats and by day 30 in 3 cats. It was concluded that estrus could be induced in cats during the non-breeding season by administration of porcine pituitary gland preparation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Effect of preexisting FeLV infection or FeLV and feline immunodeficiency virus coinfection on pathogenicity of the small variant of Haemobartonella felis in cats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of preexisting FeLV infection or FeLV and feline immunodeficiency (FIV) coinfection on the pathogenicity of the small variant of Haemobartonella felis (Hfsm, California variant) in cats. ANIMALS: 20 FeLV infected, 5 FeLV-FIV coinfected, and 19 retrovirus-free cats. PROCEDURES: A client-owned cat, coinfected with FeLV and Hfsm, was the source for Hfsm. Inoculum 1 (FeLV free) was obtained by passage of source Hfsm through 4 FeLV-resistant cats. Inoculum 2 was obtained by further passage of Hfsm (inoculum 1) through 2 specific pathogen-free cats. RESULTS: A mild-to-moderate anemia started 21 days after inoculation, with its nadir occurring at 35 to 42 days after inoculation. Infection with Hfsm induced greater decrease in hemoglobin concentration in FeLV infected cats, compared with retrovirus free cats. Reticulocytosis, macrocytosis, and polychromasia of erythrocytes developed in anemic cats regardless of retrovirus infection status. Mean neutrophil counts decreased during the hemolytic episode. For most cats, the anemia was transient. Four FeLV infected cats, 1 of which was also FIV infected, developed fatal FeLV-associated myeloproliferative diseases. Of the surviving cats, 8 died over the next 24 months from other FeLV-related diseases. Hemolysis did not recur after the initial episode. Inoculum 1 induced more severe anemia than inoculum 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results support the clinical observation that cats coinfected with FeLV and H felis develop more severe anemia than cats infected with H felis alone. Infection with Hfsm may induce myeloproliferative disease in FeLV infected cats. The small variant of H felis may lose pathogenicity by passage through FeLV-free cats.

Anaplasmataceae↗

PubMed2000

Intrathoracic and concurrent orthopedic injury associated with traumatic rib fracture in cats: 75 cases (1980-1998).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize rib, intrathoracic, and concurrent orthopedic injuries, and prognosis associated with traumatic rib fracture in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 75 cats. PROCEDURE: Medical records from January 1980 to August 1998 were examined for cats with traumatic rib fracture. Signalment, cause of trauma, interval from trauma to evaluation at a veterinary teaching hospital, referral status and date, method of diagnosis, duration of hospitalization, number and location of rib fractures, presence of flail chest, costal cartilage involvement, intrathoracic and concurrent orthopedic injury, and clinical outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: Median age was 3 years. Twenty-five (58%) cats with reported cause of trauma were injured by interaction with another animal. Forty-seven (78%) cats that were treated survived. Cats that died had a median duration of hospitalization of < 1 day. Ten (13%) cats had flail chest. Sixty-five (87%) cats had intrathoracic injury (median, 2 injuries). Nine (100%) cats without detected intrathoracic injury that were treated survived. Thirty-five (47%) cats had concurrent orthopedic injury. Cats with flail chest, pleural effusion, or diaphragmatic hernia were significantly more likely to die than cats without each injury. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Traumatic rib fracture in cats is associated with intrathoracic and concurrent orthopedic injury. Aggressive treatment of cats with traumatic rib fracture is warranted, because the prognosis is generally favorable. Diagnosis and treatment of intrathoracic injury associated with traumatic rib fracture in cats should precede management of concurrent orthopedic injury.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Causes of urine marking in cats and effects of environmental management on frequency of marking.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of environmental management alone on marking frequency in cats with urine marking and to obtain demographic data on cats with urine marking and data on owner-perceived factors that contributed to urine marking behavior. DESIGN: Single-intervention study. ANIMALS: 40 neutered male and 7 spayed female cats. PROCEDURE: During a 2-week baseline phase, owners maintained a daily record of the number of urine marks. This phase was followed by a 2-week environmental management phase during which owners cleaned recently deposited urine marks daily, scooped waste from the litter box daily, and changed the litter and cleaned the litter box weekly while continuing to record urine marks. RESULTS: Male cats and cats from multicat households were significantly overrepresented, compared with the general pet cat population in California. The most commonly mentioned causative factors for urine marking were agonistic interactions with other cats outside or inside the home. Environmental management procedures resulted in an overall reduction in urine marking frequency. Among cats that marked > or = 6 times during the baseline phase, females were significantly more likely to respond to treatment (> or = 50% reduction in marking frequency) than were males. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that male cats and cats from multicat households are more likely to exhibit urine marking behavior than females and cats from single-cat households. Results also suggest that attention to environmental and litter box hygiene can reduce marking frequency in cats, regardless of sex or household status of the cats, and may come close to resolving the marking problem in some cats.

Agonistic Behavior↗

PubMed2002

Characteristics of free-roaming cats and their caretakers.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of unowned, free-roaming cats and their caretakers who participated in a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program and to determine the effect of the program on free-roaming cat colonies. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 101 caretakers of 920 unowned, free-roaming cats in 132 colonies in north central Florida. RESULTS: Most (85/101; 84%) caretakers were female. The median age was 45 years (range, 19 to 74 years). Most (89/101; 88%) caretakers owned pets and of those, most (67/101; 66%) owned cats. The major reasons for feeding free-roaming cats were sympathy and love of animals. Most caretakers reported that the cats they cared for were too wild to be adopted, but many also reported that they considered the cats to be like pets. The total surveyed cat population was 920 before participation in TNR and 678 after TNR. Mean colony size was 7 cats before TNR and 5.1 cats after TNR. Most cats lived on the caretaker's property. At the time of the survey, 70% (644/920) of the cats had been neutered. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The decrease in the surveyed free-roaming cat population was attributed to a reduction in births of new kittens, adoptions, deaths, and disappearances. Recognition of the human-animal bond that exists between caretakers and the feral cats they feed may facilitate the development of effective control programs for feral cat populations.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Prevalence of Bartonella henselae antibodies in serum of cats with and without clinical signs of central nervous system disease.

Bartonella henselae is occasionally associated with neurological dysfunction in people and some experimentally infected cats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether B henselae seroprevalence or titer magnitude varies among cats with neurological disease, cats with non-neurological diseases, and healthy cats while controlling for age and flea exposure. There was no difference in B henselae seroprevalence rates between cats with seizures and cats with other neurological diseases. Cats with non-neurological disease and healthy cats were more likely than cats with neurological disease to be seropositive. While the median B henselae antibody titer was greater in cats with seizures than in cats with other neurological disease, the median B henselae antibody titer was also greater in healthy cats than cats with seizures. The results suggest that titer magnitude cannot be used alone to document clinical disease associated with B henselae infection and that presence of B henselae antibodies in serum of cats with neurological disease does not prove the clinical signs are related to B henselae.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Experimental transmission of Bartonella henselae by the cat flea.

Bartonella henselae is an emerging bacterial pathogen, causing cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis. Cats bacteremic with B. henselae constitute a large reservoir from which humans become infected. Prevention of human infection depends on elucidation of the natural history and means of feline infection. We studied 47 cattery cats in a private home for 12 months to determine the longitudinal prevalence of B. henselae bacteremia, the prevalence of B. henselae in the fleas infesting these cats, and whether B. henselae is transmitted experimentally to cats via fleas. Vector-mediated transmission of B.henselae isolates was evaluated by removing fleas from the naturally bacteremic, flea-infested cattery cats and transferring these fleas to specific-pathogen-free (SPF) kittens housed in a controlled, arthropod-free University Animal Facility. B. henselae bacteremia was detected in 89% of the 47 naturally infected cattery cats. A total of 132 fleas were removed from cats whose blood was simultaneously cultured during different seasons and were tested individually for the presence of B. henselae DNA by PCR. B. henselae DNA was detected in 34% of 132 fleas, with seasonal variation, but without an association between the presence or the level of bacteremia in the corresponding cat. Cat fleas removed from bacteremic cattery cats transmitted B. henselae to five SPF kittens in two separate experiments; however, control SPF kittens housed with highly bacteremic kittens in the absence of fleas did not become infected. These data demonstrate that the cat flea readily transmits B. henselae to cats. Control of feline infestation with this arthropod vector may provide an important strategy for the prevention of infection of both humans and cats.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Regulation of CAT protein by ribozyme and antisense mRNA in transgenic mice.

Transgenic mouse lines were engineered to express stably antisense mRNA or antisense mRNA containing catalytic ribozyme (rbz) structures complementary to bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene transcripts. One transgenic line expressed antisense mRNA that specifically targeted full-length CAT coding sequences (ACAT). Another transgenic line expressed full-length antisense CAT mRNA which was modified by mutagensis to include four rbz cassettes (rbz-ACAT) in order to compare antisense versus antisense-rbz function in vivo. Preliminary data were also collected from a transgenic mouse line expressing antisense mRNA targeting 72% of the 5' region of CAT coding sequences (5' ACAT). All constructs contained similar control elements in their design. Promoter elements were derived from the bovine alpha s1-casein gene, while the small t intron and 3' control sequences were derived from SV40. The ability of these various constructs to down-regulate CAT protein levels was compared by analysis of CAT protein production in lactating double-hemizygous transgenic female mice. Every double-hemizygous mouse analysed expressed mRNA from the alpha s1-casein-CAT construct (Clarke et al., 1994) and equivalent levels of mRNA from one of the three antisense constructs. Transgenic mouse lines expressing both ACAT and CAT mRNA down-regulated CAT protein levels by 90% of that found in the CAT only transgenic population. Similarly, double-hemizygous transgenic lines expressing both rbz-ACAT and CAT mRNA regulated CAT protein levels by 87%. Preliminary data suggests that expression of mRNA from 5' ACAT/CAT double-hemizygote mice allowed approximately 67% down-regulation of normal CAT protein levels. We conclude that incorporation of multiple ribozymes within the full-length antisense CAT construct does not enhance the effectiveness of antisense mRNA in the down-regulation of CAT protein production in our system.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Exploring the ecologic basis for extreme susceptibility of Pallas' cats (Otocolobus manul) to fatal toxoplasmosis.

Recent efforts by North American zoos to establish a genetically viable captive population of Pallas' cats (Otocolobus manul) have been compromised by high newborn mortality (approximately 60%), primarily because of toxoplasmosis. The basis for this extreme susceptibility to toxoplasmosis is unknown. In the present study, the general health status of wild Pallas' cats in Mongolia was evaluated, including assessment of basal hematologic parameters and fecal corticoid metabolite concentrations. The prevalence of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in Mongolian Pallas' cats, local domestic cats, and prey species also was determined based on serology and/or polymerase chain reaction analysis. Biologic samples (blood, feces, and/or brain tissue) were obtained from 15 wild Pallas' cats, 15 domestic cats, and 45 prey animals (rodents and pikas) captured in Mongolia during the summers of 2000 and 2001. Comparative data were obtained from nine captive Pallas' cats maintained in North American zoos. Based on physical examinations, complete blood counts, and blood chemistry analyses, only minor differences were observed in the general health status of wild and captive Pallas' cats. Fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) between populations, indicating that Pallas' cats in captivity and in the wild have similar basal adrenocortical activity. A pronounced difference (P < 0.01) in seroprevalence to T. gondii was observed between populations. Whereas all captive Pallas' cats exhibited elevated immunoglobulin titers (IgG > 2,048) to T. gondii, only two of 15 (13%) wild Pallas' cats were seropositive, with both cats having lower IgG titers (< 1,024). Furthermore, no evidence of exposure to this parasite was found in any of the Mongolian domestic cats or prey species. These findings suggest that wild Pallas' cats have minimal opportunity for exposure to T. gondii in their natural habitat and, typically, do not become infected with this parasite until being brought into captivity. Accordingly, maintenance of a viable captive population may require implementing effective strategies to prevent exposure of immunologically naive Pallas' cats to T. gondii and to reduce parasite transmission between seropositive females and their highly susceptible offspring.

Animals↗