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. 2023 Mar;122(3):877-879.
doi: 10.1007/s00436-022-07772-5. Epub 2023 Jan 3.

Detection of anti-Sarcocystis spp. antibodies in domestic cats, in southern Brazil

Fagner D 'ambroso Fernandes  1 , Patrícia Bräunig  2 , Bruna Marquardt Lucio  3 , Maiana Martins Flores  3 , Cinthia Melazzo de Andrade  4 , Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel  2
Affiliations

Detection of anti-Sarcocystis spp. antibodies in domestic cats, in southern Brazil

Fagner D 'ambroso Fernandes et al. Parasitol Res. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Parasites of the genus Sarcocystis can infect several species of animals and cause multiple diseases such as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Felines are considered hosts of this protozoa; therefore, the present study aimed to detect anti-Sarcocystis spp.-specific antibodies in domestic cats that were under clinical evaluation, using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Anti-Sarcocystis-specific immunoglobulin Gs were detected in 24 out of 497 (4.82%) cat serum samples. These findings support the fact that natural Sarcocystis infections do occur in cats. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of domestic cats as both intermediate and definitive hosts in the Sarcocystis life cycle, maintaining the parasite and serving as a source of infection for various other animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify antibodies against the genus Sarcocystis in cats from a region in southern Brazil.

Keywords: Cross-reaction; Domestic cats; Genus Sarcocystis; Indirect immunofluorescence; Intermediate host.

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