Sero-prevalence of Bartonella henselae Infection in Domestic Cats and Dogs in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Sera from pet cats and dogs in Yamaguchi Prefecture were analyzed by means of indirect immunofluorescence for antibodies to Bartonella henselae. Of 126 cats, 23 (18.3%) were positive for the B. henselae IgG antibody and 1 (0.8%) for the IgM antibody. The seropositive rate (3.2%: 1/31) of the B. henselae IgG antibody in young cats (<1 year old) was significantly lower than that (28.3%: 13/46) in older cats (from 1 to 3 years old)(P<0.05). Of 283 dogs, 19 (6.7%) were positive for the B. henselae IgG antibody and 10 (3.5%) for the IgM antibody. Prevalence of the B. henselae IgG antibody was significantly higher in male dogs than in female dogs (P<0.05).