{"id":1301803,"date":"2020-05-12T10:50:15","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T08:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.laboklin.com\/int\/en\/?p=1301803"},"modified":"2024-07-24T12:23:18","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T10:23:18","slug":"introducing-the-feline-travel-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/introducing-the-feline-travel-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]In Germany, vector-borne infections are becoming more important in dogs and cats for the following reasons:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Import of dogs and cats from abroad.<\/li>\n<li>Increase in tourism and transport of goods in Europe and worldwide.<\/li>\n<li>Changes in climate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As a result of global warming, vectors which were previously endemic in warmer regions of the Mediterranean or in Southeastern Europe may be able to survive all year round in countries in Central and Northern Europe, such as Germany, and may even establish stable transmission cycles. Since April 2012, we have been offering a \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d for cats with suspected vector-borne infections related to a medical history of being abroad. This profile has been established in our range of services for cats that were imported into Germany from Mediterranean countries or Southeastern Europe or which have stayed in these countries as a travel companion (Fig. 1).<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d includes direct PCR detection of dirofilaria and hepatozoon and indirect antibody IFAT detection of leishmania, ehrlichia and rickettsia. More than a quarter of the cats (172\/606; 28.4%) tested positive for at least one pathogen (Tab. 1).<\/p>\n<h2>Description of the tested pathogens<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em><strong>Hepatozoonosis<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Hepatozoon (H.) felis<\/em> is most frequently found in cats worldwide. In Europe, the pathogen has been detected in ticks (<em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus<\/em>, <em>Ixodes hexagonus<\/em>) and fleas (<em>Ctenocephalides felis<\/em>). The vector competence in cats is unclear. Transplacental infections with <em>H. felis<\/em> have also been described in cats. Recently, a first case report about an autochthonous infection with <em>H. felis<\/em> in a clinically affected domestic cat in Austria was published. Hepatozoonosis should, thus, also be considered in cats which have not had a history of staying abroad.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<style type='text\/css'>\n\t\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='dt-gallery-container gallery galleryid-1301803 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rollover rollover-zoom dt-pswp-item\" title=\"\" data-dt-img-description=\"LABOKLIN aktuell | &lt;b&gt;Fig. 1: &lt;\/b&gt; Number of cats tested between 04\/2012 and 12\/2019 using the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d with the percentage of cats tested positive per year.\" data-large_image_width=\"705\" data-large_image_height=\"483\"href='https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Figure-1-Number-of-cats-tested-between-042012-and-122019-using-the-Feline-Travel-Profile-with-the-percentage-of-cats-tested-positive-per-year.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"206\" src=\"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Figure-1-Number-of-cats-tested-between-042012-and-122019-using-the-Feline-Travel-Profile-with-the-percentage-of-cats-tested-positive-per-year-300x206.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Laboklin: Number of cats tested between 04\/2012 and 12\/2019 using the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d with the percentage of cats tested positive per year.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1317622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Figure-1-Number-of-cats-tested-between-042012-and-122019-using-the-Feline-Travel-Profile-with-the-percentage-of-cats-tested-positive-per-year-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Figure-1-Number-of-cats-tested-between-042012-and-122019-using-the-Feline-Travel-Profile-with-the-percentage-of-cats-tested-positive-per-year.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1317622'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<b>Fig. 1: <\/b> Number of cats tested between 04\/2012 and 12\/2019 using the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d with the percentage of cats tested positive per year.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rollover rollover-zoom dt-pswp-item\" title=\"\" data-dt-img-description=\"LABOKLIN aktuell | &lt;b&gt;Tab. 1: &lt;\/b&gt; Vector-borne pathogens in the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d with prevalence in the period 04\/2012 \u2013 12\/2019.\" data-large_image_width=\"707\" data-large_image_height=\"482\"href='https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Table-1-Vector-borne-pathogens-in-the-Feline-Travel-Profile-with-prevalence-in-the-period-042012-\u2013-122019.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"205\" src=\"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Table-1-Vector-borne-pathogens-in-the-Feline-Travel-Profile-with-prevalence-in-the-period-042012-\u2013-122019-300x205.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Laboklin: Vector-borne pathogens in the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d with prevalence in the period 04\/2012 \u2013 12\/2019.\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1317624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Table-1-Vector-borne-pathogens-in-the-Feline-Travel-Profile-with-prevalence-in-the-period-042012-\u2013-122019-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Table-1-Vector-borne-pathogens-in-the-Feline-Travel-Profile-with-prevalence-in-the-period-042012-\u2013-122019.jpg 707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1317624'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<b>Tab. 1: <\/b> Vector-borne pathogens in the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d with prevalence in the period 04\/2012 \u2013 12\/2019.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rollover rollover-zoom dt-pswp-item\" title=\"\" data-dt-img-description=\"LABOKLIN aktuell | &lt;b&gt;Fig. 2: &lt;\/b&gt; Collected hard tick (symbolic image)\" data-large_image_width=\"705\" data-large_image_height=\"421\"href='https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Figure-2-Collected-hard-tick-symbolic-image.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"179\" src=\"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Figure-2-Collected-hard-tick-symbolic-image-300x179.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Laboklin: Collected hard tick (symbolic image)\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1317623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Figure-2-Collected-hard-tick-symbolic-image-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Figure-2-Collected-hard-tick-symbolic-image.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1317623'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<b>Fig. 2: <\/b> Collected hard tick (symbolic image)\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1705056569472{margin-top: 10px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text]<em><strong>Leishmaniasis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>In cats, <em>Leishmania infantum<\/em>\u00a0is most likely transmitted by sand flies (<em>Phlebotomus spp.<\/em>). Dogs are considered the main reservoir, but cats can also become infected. However, it is assumed that cats are more resistant to infections than dogs. The pathogenesis of feline leishmaniasis is unclear, just like the role of the cat in the transmission cycle of the pathogen.<\/p>\n<p>In cats, infections are often subclinical. When clinical signs occur, mainly nodular and ulcerative skin lesions are seen as well as enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss and ophthalmologic symptoms. To confirm infection, quantitative serological tests such as IFAT should be carried out in cats. In case titres are negative or low, a parasitological detection method (e.g. PCR, culture, histology, cytology) should be used to diagnose the pathogen if there is a clinical suspicion as seroconversion of the pathogen may be delayed for years.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Ehrlichiosis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>In Europe, <em>Ehrlichia (E.) canis<\/em> is transmitted by the tick <em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus<\/em>. In Germany, the vector can only survive temporarily within certain temperature ranges or as populations in buildings heated throughout the year. Case studies on infections with <em>E. canis<\/em> in cats are rare and the clinical picture is non-specific. A single positive antibody detection by IFAT most likely indicates a pathogen contact in an endemic foreign country.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Rickettsiosis\/Mediterranean spotted fever<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>More than 20 species belong to the \u201cSpotted fever group\u201d, with <em>Rickettsia conorii\u00a0<\/em>being the most important zoonotic agent in Europe. <em>Rickettsia conorii\u00a0<\/em>is transmitted by ticks (<em>Rhipicephalus sanguineus<\/em>) and can cause clinical signs in dogs; its significance in cats is not clear.<\/p>\n<p><em>Rickettsia felis<\/em> is transmitted by fleas. Seroconversion occurs in cats after contact with infected fleas. Bacteraemia is assumed to be short, as cats with confirmed antibodies usually had negative PCR results in blood. Antibody detection was often positive in cats in which several vector-borne infectious agents were found. This also reflects what is known about pathogen detection in dogs or in human medicine.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Dirofilariasis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Diroflaria (D.) immitis <\/em>(heartworm) is a pathogenic species in cats, while <em>D. repens<\/em>, as the causative agent of subcutaneous dirofilariasis, also plays an important role as a zoonotic agent. Both pathogens are transmitted by mosquitoes. Prevalence in cats is only about one tenth of that in dogs. In cats, infections with <em>D. immitis<\/em>\u00a0may be self-limiting, however, there may also be fatal courses with sudden death and clinical signs such as shortness of breath, coughing and vomiting. Yet, cats are more resistant than dogs and only occasionally develop transient microfilaraemia. Since larvae are only temporarily detectable in the blood and\/or the number of larvae is below the detection limit of the <em>D. immitis<\/em> antigen detection test or the Knott\u2019s test, false negative results often occur in cats. Heat treatment of the serum before performing the test increases the probability of pathogen detection.<\/p>\n<p>We offer this method after prior consultation. Furthermore, a cardiac ultrasound should be performed to detect worms in the pulmonary artery as well as in the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart. <em>Diroflaria repens<\/em> can cause skin lesions such as subcutaneous nodules.<\/p>\n<p>Severe courses with itching, pustules, ulcerations and exfoliative dermatitis are rare. Microfilaria PCR has a low sensitivity in cats. If pathogen detection is positive, it should be followed by species differentiation to decide on the treatment (Fig. 2).<\/p>\n<h2>Summary<\/h2>\n<p>In cats with the appropriate medical history, vector contact and the respective clinical signs, vector-borne infections should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. Some vector-borne infections are probably underdiagnosed in cats. The role of the cat as a reservoir host and the clinical relevance of many vector-borne infections are not yet sufficiently understood. Preventive measures such as vector control throughout the year with suitable acaricidal and insecticidal preparations are also recommended for cats. The prepatent period of dirofilaria and leishmania is long. In case of negative test results within six months after import or return to Germany, it is thus recommended to repeat the test at the time when the cat has exclusively been in Germany for at least six months.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;vc_default&#8221; gap=&#8221;10&#8243; equal_height=&#8221;yes&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1705056334495{margin-top: 30px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1721816565976{background-color: #e7e7e7 !important;}&#8221;][vc_icon icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-file-pdf&#8221; color=&#8221;custom&#8221; size=&#8221;xl&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1721816574451{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221; custom_color=&#8221;#e51e1e&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Flaboklin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FLA_Mai_2020_EN.pdf|title:Introducing%20the%20%E2%80%9CFeline%20Travel%20Profile%E2%80%9D|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1721816587468{background-color: #e7e7e7 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1721816595768{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/LA_Mai_2020_EN.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Introducing the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d<\/a><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Germany, vector-borne infections are becoming more important in dogs and cats for the following reasons &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1301807,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"Introducing the \u201cFeline Travel Profile\u201d","_seopress_titles_desc":"In Germany, vector-borne infections are becoming more important in dogs and cats for the following reasons ...","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[199],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-1301803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-laboklin-aktuell-2020","category-199","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1301803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1301803"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1301803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1514214,"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1301803\/revisions\/1514214"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1301807"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1301803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1301803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1301803"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=1301803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}