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. 2001 Jan-Feb;92(1):67-71.
doi: 10.1007/BF03404848.

A serological survey of rural dogs and cats on the southwestern Canadian prairie for zoonotic pathogens

F A Leighton  1 , H A Artsob, M C Chu, J G Olson
Affiliations

A serological survey of rural dogs and cats on the southwestern Canadian prairie for zoonotic pathogens

F A Leighton et al. Can J Public Health. 2001 Jan-Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

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.

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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