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A Serological Survey of Rural Dogs and Cats on the Southwestern Canadian Prairie for Zoonotic Pathogens

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Abstract

A survey for antibodies against agents of plague, tularemia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and against Sin Nombre hantavirus (SNV), Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae was conducted in the summer of 1995 using serum from rural dogs and cats living in the vicinity of four public parks in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. Antibodies to all pathogens were detected in all survey areas. Overall prevalence rates were 0.075 for Yersinia pestis, 0.089 for Francisella tularensis, 0.025 for Rickettsia rickettsii (dogs only), and 0.029, 0.178 and 0.186 for SNV, B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae, respectively (cats only). This serological survey of rural dogs and cats was more sensitive and efficient than previous surveys based on collection and culture of rodents and ectoparasites. All six pathogens appear endemic to the region. Surveillance for plague, tularemia, RMSF and SNV, and management of associated public risks should be done in endemic regions.

Résumé

Durant l’été 1995, nous avons mené une enquête sur la présence d’anticorps spécifiques des agents de la peste, de la tularémie, de la fièvre des montagnes rocheuses (RMSF) et du Sin Nombre virus (SNV), Bartonella henselae et B. clarridgeiae en utilisant des sérums provenant de chiens et de chats ruraux vivant à proximité de quatre parcs publics du sud-est de l’Alberta et du sud-ouest de la Saskatchewan. Des anticorps contre tous les agents pathogènes étudiés étaient présents dans toutes les localités ciblées par l’étude. Les taux de prévalence globaux étaient de 0,075 pour Yersinia pestis, 0,089 pour Francisella tularensis, 0,025 pour Rickettsia rickettsii (chiens seulement) et de 0,029, 0,178 et 0,186, respectivement, pour SNV, B. henselae et B. clarridgeiae (chats seulement). Cette enquête sérologique visant des chiens et des chats s’est avérée plus sensible et plus efficace que les enquêtes précédentes, fondées sur la collecte et/ou la culture d’ectoparasites et de rongeurs. Les six pathogènes susmentionnés semblent être endémiques dans les régions étudiées. Il faudrait effectuer dans ces régions une épidémiosurveillance des agents de la peste, de la tularémie, de la RMSF et du SNV et gérer les risques auxquels la population pourrait être exposée.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada

    Frederick A. Leighton DVM, PhD

  2. Zoonotic Diseases and Level 4 Program, Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, Winnipeg, MB, USA

    Harvey A. Artsob PhD (Chief)

  3. Bacterial Zoonoses Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    May C. Chu PhD

  4. Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    James G. Olson PhD

Authors
  1. Frederick A. Leighton DVM, PhD
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  2. Harvey A. Artsob PhD
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  3. May C. Chu PhD
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  4. James G. Olson PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frederick A. Leighton DVM, PhD.

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Formerly: Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch.

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Leighton, F.A., Artsob, H.A., Chu, M.C. et al. A Serological Survey of Rural Dogs and Cats on the Southwestern Canadian Prairie for Zoonotic Pathogens. Can J Public Health 92, 67–71 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404848

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404848

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