Table 2.
Vector-borne pathogens affecting cats in Italy.
| Pathogen | Vector(s) a | Geographical distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Anaplasma phagocytophilum | Ixodes ricinus (?), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (?) | S [86] |
| Bartonella henselae | Ctenocephalides felis (?) | N [94,95] |
| Bartonella clarridgeiae | C. felis (?) | N [72] |
| Dirofilaria immitis | Culex spp. (?) | N [34,96] |
| Dipylidium caninum | C. felis | C, S [97] |
| Acanthocheilonema grassii | R. sanguineus (?) | C [98] |
| Leishmania infantum | Phlebotomus perniciosus (?), Phlebotomus spp. (?) | C [31,32] |
| Rickettsia felis b | C. felis (?) | N [26] |
| Thelazia callipaeda | Phortica variegata (?) | N, S [61] |
Abbreviations: C, central Italy; N, northern Italy; S, southern Italy.
a Question mark (?) indicates "suspected vector" to cats.
b Rickettsia felis DNA has been detected in C. felis fleas, but no evidence of infection in cats has been shown [26]. The pathogenic role of R. felis in cats is yet to be demonstrated [99].