Prevalence of Bartonella infection in well-cared cats in Bangkok metropolitan

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bartonellosis in two hundred well-cared client-owned cats that have close relationship with their owners in Bangkok metropolitan area from November 2010 to November 2011. These cats had no clinical signs at the time of presentation and no visual flea infestation. Blood collection was performed and cultured in 5% rabbit blood agar. Species of Bartonella spp. was identified with Polymerase Chain Reaction and gene sequencing. Results demonstrated that eleven out of the two hundred cats were positive for bartonellosis. Moreover, the prevalence was 5.5% (11/200), with Bartonella henselae 91% (10/11) and Bartonella clarridgeiae 9% (1/11). Therefore, this study indicated that the major cause of bartonellosis in well-cared cats in Bangkok metropolitan was Bartonella henselae. It is recommended that pet owners perform regular ectoparasite prevention. Also, knowledge of bartonellosis should be spread to both veterinarians and pet owners for effective prevention of the disease.