# Prevalence and Sequence Analysis of Vector‐Borne Zoonotic Diseases in Stray Cats in Istanbul

## TL;DR

This study analyzed stray cats in Istanbul to detect vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, finding several pathogens with implications for human and animal health.

## Contribution

The study is the first to report molecular and phylogenetic findings of E. canis and H. canis in cats from Türkiye.

## Key findings

- Ehrlichia canis, Bartonella spp., and Toxoplasma gondii were detected in stray cats, all with zoonotic potential.
- Phylogenetic analysis showed high similarity between E. canis and H. felis in the study and strains from other regions.
- Leishmania spp. and Anaplasma spp. were not detected in any of the samples.

## Abstract

Feline vector‐borne diseases are caused by various pathogens transmitted by arthropods. Many of these infections have zoonotic importance, and cats can serve as sentinels for monitoring the health of both humans and pets. However, there is a limited research on the vector‐borne and zoonotic diseases carried by feline populations.

This study aimed to detect the prevalence of selected vector‐borne and zoonotic infections among stray cats in Istanbul, Türkiye, by molecular and phylogenetic techniques.

DNA extracted from blood samples of 316 stray cats was analysed using conventional PCR assays to identify various pathogens, targeting genes 16S rRNA for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia/Bartonella spp., 18S rRNA for Hepatozoon spp., LT1 for Leishmania spp. and 529 bp—Repetitive element for Toxoplasma gondii. Phylogenetic reconstructions were conducted based on the results.

Anaplasma/Ehrlichia/Bartonella spp., Hepatozoon spp. and T. gondii prevalence were 1.8%, 3.4% and 0.3%, respectively. In addition, sequencing revealed the following prevalences: Ehrlichia canis (0.3%), Hepatozoon felis (1.5%), Hepatozoon canis (0.3%), Bartonella henselae (0.3%), Bartonella clarridgeiae (0.3%) and T. gondii (0.3%). No Leishmania spp. or Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in any of the samples. The E. canis 16S rRNA gene sequence obtained in the study showed 100% homology with E. canis from Venezuela (human), and the H. felis 18S rRNA gene sequence demonstrated 99.45%–100% similarity with H. felis from Türkiye (Haemaphysalis parva).

This study is the first to report molecular and phylogenetic findings of E. canis and H. canis in cats from Türkiye. Notably, E. canis, Bartonella spp. and T. gondii all have zoonotic potential, highlighting the need for surveillance within the framework of a One Health approach.

Istanbul, the largest metropolis in Türkiye, is home to a notable population of stray cats. While cats enrich the city's culture, they can also transmit various diseases, posing diagnostic challenges for clinicians. This study aimed to detect infections in stray cats using PCR and sequencing to identify Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Bartonella, Hepatozoon, Leishmania and Toxoplasma gondii.