Assessment of infectious organisms associated with chronic rhinosinusitis in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine detection rates for feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), Mycoplasma spp, fungi, and bacteria in flush samples and biopsy specimens from the nasal cavities of cats with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 10 CRS-affected cats and 7 cats without signs of respiratory tract disease. PROCEDURES: Nasal flush samples and biopsy specimens were collected from all cats for bacterial (aerobic and anaerobic), fungal, and mycoplasmal cultures; additional biopsy specimens were collected for virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (to detect FHV-1 DNA). RESULTS: Aerobic bacteria were detected in flush samples from 5 of 7 control cats; culture of flush samples from CRS-affected cats yielded aerobic bacteria (9/10 cats), anaerobic bacteria (3/10), and Mycoplasma spp (2/10). No fungal organisms were isolated from any cat. Potential pathogens were isolated significantly more often from CRS-affected cats than from control cats. Bacterial culture of biopsy specimens yielded aerobic bacteria (2/7 control cats and 4/10 CRS-affected cats) and anaerobic bacteria (2/10 CRS-affected cats). Although FHV-1 was not detected in nasal biopsy specimens from control or CRS-affected cats, FHV-1 DNA was detected via PCR assay in specimens from 4 of 7 control cats and 3 of 10 CRS-affected cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with findings in control cats, anaerobic bacteria, Mycoplasma spp, and a variety of potentially pathogenic organisms were detected more commonly in samples from cats with CRS. In both groups, FHV-1 was detected via PCR assay as a nonviable organism or in noncultivable amounts.     

Chlamydia infection in cats in New Zealand

Conjunctival swabs collected in 1991-92 from 333 pedigree and non-pedigree cats were tested for the presence of Chlamydia spp. antigen using an ELISA antigen kit. Forty (18.4%) of the 217 samples from cats with conjunctivitis were positive. Seven (6%) of 116 samples from cats which were in contact with cats with conjunctivitis but which showed no clinical signs at the time of sample collection were positive. Positive-testing cats were frequently from multi-cat households. Chlamydia spp. is present and associated with conjunctivitis in cats in New Zealand. Infection may occur concurrently with viral diseases. Feline calicivirus was recovered from 27 (21 with conjunctivitis) of 37 cats tested in five catteries. Four cats (with conjunctivitis) were FIV-positive.     

Chlamydia infection in cats in New Zealand

Conjunctival swabs collected in 1991-92 from 333 pedigree and non-pedigree cats were tested for the presence of Chlamydia spp. antigen using an ELISA antigen kit. Forty (18.4%) of the 217 samples from cats with conjunctivitis were positive. Seven (6%) of 116 samples from cats which were in contact with cats with conjunctivitis but which showed no clinical signs at the time of sample collection were positive. Positive-testing cats were frequently from multi-cat households. Chlamydia spp. is present and associated with conjunctivitis in cats in New Zealand. Infection may occur concurrently with viral diseases. Feline calicivirus was recovered from 27 (21 with conjunctivitis) of 37 cats tested in five catteries. Four cats (with conjunctivitis) were FIV-positive.     

Infections with helminths and/or protozoa in cats in animal shelters in the Netherlands

To determine the prevalence of infections with helminths and protozoa in cats in animal shelters, faecal samples from 305 cats from 22 animal shelters in the Netherlands were examined, using a centrifugation-sedimentation-flotation-technique. The association between potential risk factors and the occurrence of an infection was also tested. Infections with helminths and/or protozoa were found in 160 samples (52.5%). Toxocara cati was found in 86 cats (28.2%), Cystoisospora felis in 59 cats (19.3%), Cysto?sospora rivolta in 43 cats (14.1%), Capillaria spp. in 34 cats (11.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeforma in 9 cats (3.0%), Taenia taeniaeformis in 9 cats (3.0%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in 8 cats (2.6%), Giardia intestinalis in 3 cats (1.0%), Dipylidium caninum in 2 cats (0.7%) and Toxoplasma gondii in 1 cat (0.3%). The highest prevalence was seen in kittens and stray cats. The main preventive factor against infection was a short stay in a shelter.     

Comparison of glucose concentrations in blood samples obtained with a marginal ear vein nick technique versus from a peripheral vein in healthy cats and cats with diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To compare blood glucose (BG) concentrations measured with a portable blood glucose meter in blood samples obtained with a marginal ear vein (MEV) nick technique, from a peripheral venous catheter, and by direct venipuncture in healthy cats and cats with diabetes mellitus. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 1 0 healthy cats and 11 cats with diabetes mellitus. Procedure-On day 1, blood samples were collected every hour for 10 hours by the MEV nick technique and from a peripheral venous catheter. On day 2, blood samples were collected every hour for 10 hours by the MEV nick technique and by direct venipuncture of the medial saphenous vein. RESULTS: For all cats, mean BG concentration for samples collected by the MEV nick technique was not significantly different from mean concentration for samples obtained from the peripheral venous catheter. For healthy cats, mean BG concentration for samples collected by the MEV nick technique was not significantly different from mean concentration for samples obtained by direct venipuncture. For cats with diabetes mellitus, mean BG concentration for samples collected by the MEV nick technique was significantly different from mean concentration for samples obtained by direct venipuncture; however, for the range of concentrations examined, this difference was not clinically important. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Results suggest that for the range of concentrations examined, the MEV nick technique is a reasonable alternative to venous blood collection for serial measurement of BG concentrations in cats.     

Epidemiologic observations on feline immunodeficiency virus and Toxoplasma gondii coinfection in cats in Baltimore, Md

Five hundred eighty-five serum samples obtained between 1980 and 1981 from a diverse population of cats were tested by use of an indirect immunoperoxidase assay for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Results of 14 of the samples were positive (prevalence, 2.4%). The FIV-positive cats were markedly older than the overall population and frequently were coinfected (57%) with Toxoplasma gondii. The Toxoplasma titers of the FIV-positive cats were significantly (P less than 0.03) higher than those of the FIV-negative cats. The FIV-positive cats were not coinfected with FeLV. Our findings suggested that FIV-associated immunosuppression may be a factor in active Toxoplasma infection in adult cats.     

Prevalence of Bordetella bronchiseptica in cats attended by a veterinary practice in the Manawatu region

AIMS: To determine the prevalence by isolation of Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in healthy cats and in cats showing signs of upper respiratory tract (URT) disease attended by a veterinary practice in the Manawatu region. METHODS: The nasal cavity and oropharynx of 100 cats of mixed sex and age were swabbed and the swabs cultured for B. bronchiseptica. The population of cats surveyed was that attended by the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and included healthy cats, cats with clinical signs of URT disease, cats with a recent history of URT disease, cats from single cat households, cats from multiple-cat households, and cats from a colony. RESULTS: Bordetella bronchiseptica was recovered from 7 cats (5 from pharyngeal samples and 2 from nasal samples). Five of the 7 cats appeared to be healthy at the time of sampling, whilst 2 showed clinical signs of URT disease. Six of the 7 culture-positive cats were from a cat colony. The prevalence of B. bronchiseptica in healthy cats sampled was 7% and in cats with URT disease was 8%. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that B. bronchiseptica infection is present, but the prevalence of infection is low, in both healthy cats and in cats with URT disease attended by the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. It is unlikely that B. bronchiseptica infection is a frequent cause of feline URT disease of cats in this region.     

Echinococcus multilocularis infections in domestic dogs and cats from Germany and other European countries

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus infections in domestic dogs and cats from Germany and other European countries. Faecal samples of 21,588 dogs and 10,650 cats routinely submitted to a private veterinary laboratory between June 2004 and June 2005 were examined using the ZnSO(4)-NaCl flotation method. Taeniid eggs were detected in 54 (0.25%) and 37 (0.34%) of the canine and feline faecal samples, respectively. Taeniid eggs were separated and subjected to a DNA preparation and a modified two-step PCR for the detection of Echinococcus spp. based on mitochondrial 12S rRNA genes. PCR products from Echinococcus-negative but cestode-positive reactions were cloned and sequenced to determine the Taenia species. E. multilocularis DNA was specifically amplified in 43 (0.24%) and 25 (0.23%) of the samples from dogs and cats, respectively. E. granulosus DNA was not detected in any sample, while, E. multilocularis-positive samples were detected in dogs from Germany only, those of cats originated from Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands. The prevalence of E. multilocularis egg-positive canine samples was significantly higher in southern (0.35%) than in northern Germany (0.13%). In contrast, no significant regional difference was observed in cats from Germany. Taeniid eggs from Echinococcus-negative samples and from a few samples with macroscopically detected Taenia sp. proglottids were identified as eggs of T. crassiceps (n=8), T. martis, T. serialis, T. polyacantha, T. taeniaeformis and T. pisiformis in dogs (n=1 of each) and T. taeniaeformis (n=11) in cats. The spectrum of cestodes detected in domestic dogs and cats indicate the consumption of small rodents as infection source. The high proportion of E. multilocularis-positive samples, suggest domestic dogs and cats as a possible source of E. multilocularis infection for humans.     

Prevalence of Rickettsia species antibodies and Rickettsia species DNA in the blood of cats with and without fever

Rickettsia species antibodies have been detected in some cats but it is unknown whether infected cats develop clinical signs. The prevalence of Rickettsia species deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in blood from clinically ill cats has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine if cats with fever (body temperature >or=102.5 degrees F [39.2 degrees C]) were more likely to have evidence of rickettsial infection than healthy, age-matched, control cats with a body temperature<102.5 degrees F. Rickettsia species polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were performed to detect rickettsial DNA extracted from blood (71 paired samples), indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) were performed to detect serum antibodies against Rickettsia felis (90 paired samples) and Rickettsia rickettsii (91 paired samples), and the results between pairs were compared. All samples were negative for Rickettsia species DNA. More cats with fever were seropositive for R felis or R rickettsii than control cats, but results were not statistically significant. Results of this pilot study failed to show an association between Rickettsia species DNA or Rickettsia species antibodies and fever.     

Evaluation of antibodies against feline coronavirus 7b protein for diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether expression of feline coronavirus (FCoV) 7b protein, as indicated by the presence of specific serum antibodies, consistently correlated with occurrence of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats. SAMPLE POPULATION: 95 serum samples submitted for various diagnostic assays and 20 samples from specific-pathogen-free cats tested as negative control samples. PROCEDURES: The 7b gene from a virulent strain of FCoV was cloned into a protein expression vector. The resultant recombinant protein was produced and used in antibody detection assays via western blot analysis of serum samples. Results were compared with those of an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for FCoV-specific antibody and correlated with health status. RESULTS: Healthy IFA-seronegative cats were seronegative for antibodies against the 7b protein. Some healthy cats with detectable FCoV-specific antibodies as determined via IFA were seronegative for antibodies against the 7b protein. Serum from cats with FIP had antibodies against the 7b protein, including cats with negative results via conventional IFA. However, some healthy cats, as well as cats with conditions other than FIP that were seropositive to FCoV via IFA, were also seropositive for the 7b protein. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Expression of the 7b protein, as indicated by detection of antibodies against the protein, was found in most FCoV-infected cats. Seropositivity for this protein was not specific for the FCoV virulent biotype or a diagnosis of FIP.     

Epidemiologic features of Campylobacter infection among cats in the upper midwestern United States

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiologic features of Campylobacter infection among cats in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. DESIGN: Prevalence survey. ANIMALS: 152 cats examined at 3 private veterinary clinics and an animal humane society. PROCEDURES: Fecal samples were submitted for bacterial culture for Campylobacter spp. To determine the duration of Campylobacter carriage, follow-up fecal samples were collected from cats with positive Campylobacter culture results. RESULTS: Campylobacter organisms were cultured from 37 of the 152 (24%) fecal samples. Campylobacter isolates were identified as Campylobacter upsaliensis (29 cats), Campylobacter jejuni (2), and Campylobacter coli (1); species of the remaining 5 isolates could not be determined. Campylobacter organisms were isolated from 36 of the 122 (30%) cats that were < or = 1 year old but from only 1 of the 30 (3%) cats that were > 1 year old, and shedding was more common during the summer and fall months. No association between Campylobacter shedding and clinical signs of disease was identified. For 4 of 13 cats from which follow-up fecal samples were obtained, duration of Campylobacter carriage could not be determined because Campylobacter organisms were isolated from all follow-up samples. For the remaining 9 cats, median duration of Campylobacter carriage was 44 days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: C. upsaliensis can commonly be isolated from the feces of overtly healthy kittens in the Midwest United States. Because carriage may be prolonged, veterinarians should encourage good hand hygiene among owners of cats, especially among owners with new kittens in their household.     

Serologic prevalence of selected infectious diseases in cats with uveitis.

Serologic evidence of infection by Toxoplasma gondii, feline leukemia virus, feline coronaviruses, or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is commonly found in cats with uveitis. Serum samples from 124 cats with uveitis were assayed by use of ELISA for the detection of T gondii-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and circulating antigens (Ag), as well as an ELISA for feline leukemia virus Ag, an ELISA for antibodies to FIV, and an indirect fluorescent antibody assay for antibodies to feline coronaviruses. Serologic evidence of infection by 1 or more of the infectious agents was detected in 83.1% of the samples. Serologic evidence of T gondii infection, defined as the detection of T gondii-specific IgM, IgG, or Ag in serum, was found in 74.2% of the samples. The seroprevalence of T gondii infection was significantly greater in cats with uveitis than in healthy cats from a similar geographic area. Serum samples from cats with serologic evidence of both T gondii and FIV infections were more likely to contain T gondii-specific IgM without IgG than samples from cats with serologic evidence of T gondii infection alone. Cats with serologic evidence of FIV and T gondii coinfection had a higher T gondii-specific IgM titer geometric mean and a lower T gondii-specific IgG titer geometric mean than did cats with serologic evidence of T gondii infection alone. Serologic evaluation for T gondii infection should include assays that detect IgM, IgG, and Ag, particularly in cats coinfected with FIV.     

Plasma matrix metalloproteinase‐9 activity in cats with lymphoma

In this study, plasma MMP‐9 activity was evaluated in cats with lymphoma. Plasma samples were obtained from 26 cats with lymphoma before treatment. From 13 of the included 26 cats, plasma samples were obtained 4 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Plasma samples were also obtained from 10 healthy cats as a control. Plasma MMP‐9 activity was examined by gelatin zymography and semi‐quantitative value (arbitrary unit; a.u.) for each sample was calculated. Relatively high levels of MMP‐9 were observed in cats with lymphoma compared with those in healthy control cats. MMP‐9 quantification through zymography showed significantly higher activity in cats with lymphoma (median, 0.63 a.u.; range, 0.23–3.24 a.u.) than in healthy controls (0.22 a.u.; 0.12–0.46 a.u.; P < 0.01). MMP‐9 activities were significantly different before (0.73 a.u.; 0.30–3.24 a.u.) and after treatment (0.50 a.u.; 0.14–1.32 a.u.; P = 0.017). Measuring plasma MMP‐9 activity in cats with lymphoma may become an appropriate monitoring tool for feline lymphoma.     

Prevalence of enteric zoonotic organisms in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of enteric zoonotic organisms in cats in north-central Colorado. DESIGN: Prospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Serum and fecal samples from 87 cats with diarrhea, 106 cats without diarrhea, and 12 cats for which fecal consistency was unknown. PROCEDURES: Samples were obtained from client-owned cats and cats at a humane society shelter. Serum was assayed for feline leukemia virus antigen and antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus, IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, and IgG antibodies against T gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. Microscopic examination of unstained feces was performed after centrifugation in a zinc sulfate solution, thin fecal smears were stained with acid fast stain and examined for C parvum, and bacteriologic culture of feces was used to detect aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. RESULTS: Enteric zoonotic organisms were detected in feces from 27 of 206 (13.1%) cats and included C parvum (5.4%), Giardia spp (2.4%). Toxocara cati (3.9%), Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium (1.0%), and Campylobacter jejuni (1.0%); each organism was detected in samples from cats with and without diarrhea. Although differences between groups were not significant, a higher proportion of shelter cats (18.2%) had enteric zoonotic organisms than client-owned cats (10.1%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Enteric zoonotic organisms were detected in feces of 13.1% of cats, suggesting that cats, particularly those in homes of immunocompromised humans, should be evaluated for enteric zoonotic organisms.     

成都市区犬猫狂犬病病毒和弓形虫感染的调查

为了解四川省成都市区家养犬、猫狂犬病病毒及弓形虫的感染情况,采用商品化狂犬病病毒和弓形虫抗原快速检测试纸卡,对2010年8～10月间来自成都市区的103份家养犬以及75份家猫的唾液和血液样品进行检测;同时采用文献报道的PCR方法对家养犬血液样品中的弓形虫核酸进行检测。结果显示,103份家养犬唾液样品狂犬病病毒抗原均为阴性,而75份家猫唾液样品中,检出阳性样品5份(阳性率6.7%),可疑样品7份;103份家养犬血液样品弓形虫抗原阳性样品33份(32.0%),可疑样品22份,75份家猫血液样品中,检出阳性样品2份(阳性率2.7%),可疑样品3份。弓形虫核酸PCR检测结果显示,96份家养犬血液样品弓形虫核酸阳性样品57份(阳性率59.4%),与弓形虫抗原阳性和可疑样品总和所占比例基本一致(53.4%)。提示应重视源于家猫的狂犬病病毒和家养犬弓形虫对人的威胁。     

Effects of a 98% solution of glycerol or sterilization with ethylene oxide on FeLV in bone allografts and effects on bone incorporation of allografts in cats

OBJECTIVES: To compare virucidal effects and bone incorporation properties of cortical bone allografts transplanted into specific-pathogen-free (SPF) cats. Allografts consisted of untreated bone from a SPF cat (negative-control group) and bone from 5 FeLV-infected cats that was subjected to sterilization with ethylene oxide (ETO), preservation with glycerol, or no treatment (positive-control group). SAMPLE POPULATION: Bones from the aforementioned groups and twenty 8-week-old SPF cats (5 cats/group) implanted with an allograft from 1 of the aforementioned groups. PROCEDURE: After implantation, blood samples were collected weekly to monitor FeLV p27 antigen and antibody titers. Quantification of FeLV provirus was performed on blood samples at weeks 0, 4, and 8 and donor bone samples at time of implantation. Cats were euthanatized 8 weeks after transplantation, and graft sites were evaluated. RESULTS: All results for negative-control cats were negative. All ETO group cats had negative results for antigen and provirus in blood, whereas 1 cat had a low antibody titer. Although 3 ETO-treated allografts were positive for provirus, the DNA appeared denatured. One cat in the glycerol group had positive results for all tests in blood samples. All glycerol-preserved allografts were positive when tested for provirus. All results for positive-control group cats were positive. Differences in incorporation of bone grafts were not observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Glycerol preservation of FeLV-infected bone allografts did not eliminate transmission of retrovirus to recipients. In contrast, ETO sterilization appeared to denature DNA and prevent infection. Treatments did not affect incorporation of bone grafts in young cats.     

Differentiation of feline immunodeficiency virus vaccination, infection, or vaccination and infection in cats

BACKGROUND: Serodiagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is complicated by the use of a formalin-inactivated whole-virus FIV vaccine. Cats respond to immunization with antibodies indistinguishable from those produced during natural infection by currently available diagnostic tests, which are unable to distinguish cats that are vaccinated against FIV, infected with FIV, or both. HYPOTHESIS: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detecting antibodies against formalin-treated FIV whole virus and untreated transmembrane peptide will distinguish uninfected from infected cats, regardless of vaccination status. ANIMALS: Blood samples were evaluated from uninfected unvaccinated cats (n = 73 samples), uninfected FIV-vaccinated cats (n = 89), and FIV-infected cats (n = 102, including 3 from cats that were also vaccinated). METHODS: The true status of each sample was determined by virus isolation. Plasma samples were tested for FIV antibodies by a commercial FIV diagnostic assay and an experimental discriminant ELISA. RESULTS: All samples from uninfected cats were correctly identified by the discriminant ELISA (specificity 100%). Of the samples collected from FIV-infected cats, 99 were correctly identified as FIV-infected (sensitivity 97.1%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: With the exception of viral isolation, the discriminant ELISA is the most reliable assay for diagnosis of FIV. A practical strategy for the diagnosis of FIV infection would be to use existing commercial FIV antibody assays as screening tests. Negative results with commercial assays are highly reliable predictors for lack of infection. Positive results can be confirmed with the discriminant ELISA. If the discriminant ELISA is negative, the cat is probably vaccinated against FIV but not infected. Positive results are likely to represent infection.     

Results of molecular diagnostic assays targeting feline herpesvirus-1 and feline calicivirus in adult cats administered modified live vaccines

In this pilot study, 12 adult, gang-housed cats that were known to be previously exposed (n=12) to feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and/or vaccinated against (n=2) feline calicivirus (FCV) and FHV-1 were randomly assigned to one of two groups of six cats each. Nasal and pharyngeal samples were collected from each cat on days -7, -3, and 0 prior to vaccination and on days 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, and 28 after vaccination with an FHV-1, FCV, and panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccine developed for intranasal (six cats) or parenteral (six cats) use. FHV-1 DNA was amplified from 1/12 cats (1/69 samples; 1.4%) prior to vaccination and 2/12 cats after vaccination (2/154 samples; 1.3%). FCV RNA was amplified from 2/12 cats (2/69 samples; 2.9%) prior to vaccination and 7/12 cats (12/154 samples; 7.8%) after vaccination. Positive molecular diagnostic assay results for FHV-1 and FCV were uncommon prior to or after vaccination in these cats.     

Epidemiology of Sarcocystis neurona infections in domestic cats (Felis domesticus) and its association with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) case farms and feral cats from a mobile spay and neuter clinic

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious neurologic disease in the horse most commonly caused by Sarcocystis neurona. The domestic cat (Felis domesticus) is an intermediate host for S. neurona. In the present study, nine farms, known to have prior clinically diagnosed cases of EPM and a resident cat population were identified and sampled accordingly. In addition to the farm cats sampled, samples were also collected from a mobile spay and neuter clinic. Overall, serum samples were collected in 2001 from 310 cats, with samples including barn, feral and inside/outside cats. Of these 310 samples, 35 were from nine horse farms. Horse serum samples were also collected and traps were set for opossums at each of the farms. The S. neurona direct agglutination test (SAT) was used for both the horse and cat serum samples (1:25 dilution). Fourteen of 35 (40%) cats sampled from horse farms had circulating S. neurona agglutinating antibodies. Twenty-seven of the 275 (10%) cats from the spay/neuter clinic also had detectable S. neurona antibodies. Overall, 115 of 123 (93%) horses tested positive for anti-S. neurona antibodies, with each farm having greater than a 75% exposure rate among sampled horses. Twenty-one opossums were trapped on seven of the nine farms. Eleven opossums had Sarcocystis sp. sporocysts, six of them were identified as S. neurona sporocysts based on bioassays in gamma-interferon gene knockout mice with each opossum representing a different farm. Demonstration of S. neurona agglutinating antibodies in domestic and feral cats corroborates previous research demonstrating feral cats to be naturally infected, and also suggests that cats can be frequently infected with S. neurona and serve as one of several natural intermediate hosts for S. neurona.