Natural infection in two pet cats in a house of a zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis patient in Imbaba area, Giza Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is gaining more important as a health problem in Egypt. Both exogenous and indigenous cases, though in few number, are being reported in several governorates in Egypt. The rodent reservoir hosts are playing an important role in the dissemination and spreading of the infection. In this study, two cases of ZCL have been parasitologically detected among 720 of the outpatients attended the Primary Health Care Units in three villages in Imbaba rural area. Of interest, was the detection of two pet cats with ZCL. Examination of 60 pet and stray cats revealed antibodies against leishmaniasis in five cats at a dilution of 1/32 and one at dilution 1/128. The 2 positive cats showed I.H.A. positivity at dilution 1/256. The whole results were discussed.