Antibody detection against Leishmania infantum in sera of companion cats in Ahvaz, south west of Iran

Leishmaniasis is an important and common zoonotic disease with a great impact on public health. In the present study، a total of 195 companion cats of different ages were examined for serum antibody detection against Leishmania infantum by immunochromatography assay. The cats were selected from those referring to Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz University، south west of Iran from May 2009 to March 2012. Classification was made by age، sex، breed، region and season. The studied cats were divided based on age into three groups (<1 year، 1 – 3 years and > 3 years) and based on area into five regions (north، east، west، south and central). The results were analyzed by using Chi-square analysis، Fischer''s exact test and Z test. Eighteen of 195 serum samples (9. 23%) had antibody against Leishmania infantum (%95 Confidence Interval: 5. 1-13. 3%). Prevalence was significantly higher in adult cats above 3 years (28. 57%; 14 out of 49) compared with mean-age cats 1- 3 years (3. 57%; 3 out of 84) (Odds Ratio: 10. 8) and less than 1 year (1. 61%; 1 out of 62) (OR: 24. 4) (P<0. 001). Prevalence was higher in male cats (9. 82%; 11 out of 112) than females (8. 43%; 7 out of 83)، the spring season (13. 04%; 6 out of 46) and north region (13. 89%; 5 out of 36)، but the difference was not significant between the prevalence of infection relative to host gender، season and region (P>0. 05). In conclusion، it is necessary to control cat''s population in these area particular adult cats to reduce risk of infection transmission to other animals and human.