To understand the prevalence of rabies, Toxoplasma gondii and influenza A virus in stray cats in Qingpu, Shanghai. Serum samples from 153 stray cats collected from 40 residential community between June 2022 and August 2010 were tested for antibodies to rabies, Toxoplasma gondii and influenza A viruses by ELISA. The H3, H5, H7 and H9 serotypes of influenza A antibody positive samples were identified by HI test. Real-time PCR was used for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii RNA in whole blood samples and influenza virus RNA in throat and anal swab samples. The results showed that the positive rates of rabies, Toxoplasma gondii and influenza A were 14.38% (22/153) , 11.76% (18/153) and 3.92% (6/153) respectively. The difference of positive rate of Toxoplasma gondii antibody between spring (March-May) and summer (June-August) was very significant. The positive rate of H3 was 0.65% (1/153) . No H5, H7 and H9 antibody was detected. The results showed no Toxoplasma gondii antigen was detected in the whole blood samples ,and no influenza antigen was detected in throat swab samples and anal swab samples. The results suggest that the rabies antibody level of stray cats in Qingpu District was low, which was not enough to block the Rabies transmission. Toxoplasma gondii infection exists in stray cats, especially in summer. The presence of influenza A infection in stray cats suggests that stray cats can act as a "Mixer" for human and animal influenza viruses, posing a risk of zoonosis transmission. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously monitor the infection of rabies, Toxoplasma gondii and influenza A virus in stray cats to provide basis for scientific prevention and control.
Qu-Zhi WANG.
Epidemiological investigation of rabies, Toxoplasma gondii, and influenza A virus in community stray cats in in Qingpu,Shanghai from 2022 to 2023[J]. Journal of Microbes and Infections. 2024, 19(3): 140-145