University of Tehran Press Journal of Veterinary Research 2008-2525 80 1 2025 02 19 Prevalence of Leptospirosis in Stray Cats with and Without Renal Failure in Iran: Serologic Study and Urinary Molecular Evaluation Prevalence of Leptospirosis in Stray Cats with and Without Renal Failure in Iran: Serologic Study and Urinary Molecular Evaluation 35 42 94826 10.22059/jvr.2023.362636.3367 FA Sajjad Alizadeh Graduate from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Shahram Jamshidi Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Gholamreza Abdollapour Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Hamidreza Moosavian Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Hessammedin Akbarein Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Zahra Sadat Yousefsani Graduate from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 0000-0002-0804-1689 Journal Article 2024 10 14 BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a common disease between humans and animals with a global spread. Serological prevalence of leptospirosis in cats has been reported to be 4.8-35 %, depending on geographical location and different diagnostic methods. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the seropositivity and urinary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) status of Leptospira spp. in cats with and without renal failure in Iran. METHODS: Whole blood and urine samples were obtained from 64 stray cats. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected in the sera using a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). DNA was extracted from the urine of each cat, and direct detection of Leptospira spp was performed in the urine by PCR method. Based on the whole blood count, serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis, the cats were classified into healthy (without renal failure) and patient group (with acute or chronic renal failure). RESULTS: Of 64 cats, 12 tested positive for serum titer, and 10 cats tested positive for urine contamination in molecular evaluation. Therefore, the prevalence of leptospirosis infection was reported as 18.75 % and 15.62 % based on MAT and molecular test, respectively. The most common serovars detected serologically were Canicola (n=6) and Ballum (n=4). Seropositivity for Leptospira spp. was statistically different between groups: 12.5% (7.56) and 62.5% (5.8) in the healthy and patient groups, respectively (P =0.05). Statistical analysis of the data showed that infection with Leptospira spp. in cats is a risk factor for the development of renal failure (OR: 11.66; 95 %CI: 2.72-56.89; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Leptospira spp. in stray cats in Iran is considerable, which should be considered from a public health perspective and as a potential factor for the development of renal failure. BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a common disease between humans and animals with a global spread. Serological prevalence of leptospirosis in cats has been reported to be 4.8-35 %, depending on geographical location and different diagnostic methods. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the seropositivity and urinary polymerase chain reaction (PCR) status of Leptospira spp. in cats with and without renal failure in Iran. METHODS: Whole blood and urine samples were obtained from 64 stray cats. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected in the sera using a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). DNA was extracted from the urine of each cat, and direct detection of Leptospira spp was performed in the urine by PCR method. Based on the whole blood count, serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis, the cats were classified into healthy (without renal failure) and patient group (with acute or chronic renal failure). RESULTS: Of 64 cats, 12 tested positive for serum titer, and 10 cats tested positive for urine contamination in molecular evaluation. Therefore, the prevalence of leptospirosis infection was reported as 18.75 % and 15.62 % based on MAT and molecular test, respectively. The most common serovars detected serologically were Canicola (n=6) and Ballum (n=4). Seropositivity for Leptospira spp. was statistically different between groups: 12.5% (7.56) and 62.5% (5.8) in the healthy and patient groups, respectively (P =0.05). Statistical analysis of the data showed that infection with Leptospira spp. in cats is a risk factor for the development of renal failure (OR: 11.66; 95 %CI: 2.72-56.89; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Leptospira spp. in stray cats in Iran is considerable, which should be considered from a public health perspective and as a potential factor for the development of renal failure.

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