In this study, we examine prevalences of three infectious pathogens with different transmission modes (Bartonella henselae, hemoplasma, and Toxoplasma gondii) in feral cats from urban and rural habitats. Infection status of the three pathogens in blood samples (n = 117) was determined through molecular or serological diagnostic methods. Overall prevalence of hemoplasma, Toxoplasma gondii, and Bartonella henselae was 47.9%, 50%, and 35.7%, respectively. Comparing the two habitats, only seroprevalence of Bartonella henselae was significantly higher in urban cats. Based on the results, we discuss how pathogens with distinct transmission modes may show different prevalence between urban and rural habitat types.
Animals ; Bartonella henselae ; Cats* ; Ecosystem ; Korea* ; Prevalence ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma

The eco-epidemiology of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is driven by animal reservoir species that are a source of infection for sand flies that serve as vectors infecting humans with Leishmania spp parasites. The emergence and re-emergence of this disease across Latin America calls for further studies to identify reservoir species associated with enzootic transmission. Here, we present results from a survey of 52 individuals from 13 wild mammal species at endemic sites in Costa Rica and Panama where ACL mammal hosts have not been previously studied. For Leishmania spp. diagnostics we employed a novel PCR technique using blood samples collected on filter paper. We only found Leishmania spp parasites in one host, the two-toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni. Our findings add further support to the role of two-toed sloths as an important ACL reservoir in Central America.

The eco-epidemiology of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) is drivenby animal reservoir species that are a source of infection for sand flies thatserve as vectors infecting humans with Leishmania spp parasites. The emergence and re-emergence of this disease across LatinAmerica calls for further studies to identify reservoir species associated withenzootic transmission. Here, we present results from a survey of 52 individualsfrom 13 wild mammal species at endemic sites in Costa Rica and Panama where ACLMammal hosts have not been previously studied. For Leishmania spp. diagnostics we employed a novel PCR technique usingblood samples collected on filter paper. We only found Leishmania spp parasites in one host, the two toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni. Our findings addfurther support to the major role of two toed sloths as an ACL reservoir inCentral America.