PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST ROCHALIM AEA-HENSELAE AMONG CATS IN AUSTRIA

Rochalimaea henselae is the etiologic agent of cat-scratch disease and ,in immunocompromised patients, of ''bacillary angiomatosis'' and othe r severe syndromes. In April 1994 sera from 96 healthy cats were colle cted by Austrian veterinarians. Cat sera were stored at -20 degrees C until assayed by indirect immunofluorescence test on 12-well spotslide s dotted with < 1 mu l of R. henselae-antigen (Houston-1 isolate, ATCC 49882). The minimum diagnostic titer was set at 1:64. Of the 96 cats tested, 32 (33 %) had antibodies against R. henselae. As today, there is no clinical disease yet described in cats associated with R. hensel ae infection, epidemiological data, however, clearly implicate the cat as a main vector. Our findings, indicating that infection of cats wit h R. henselae is common in Austria, raise questions about recommendati ons for cat-ownership, especially among immunocompromised population. We think that in most cases elimination of pet cats will not be necess ary. Patients should be advised to obey basic hygienic rules like wash ing of hands after handling pets, promptly cleaning any scratches or b ites with soap and water, and sanitation of cat-flea infestations.