Prevalence and risk factors for feline Bordetella bronchiseptica infection

A cross-sectional survey of a convenience-sample of 740 cats was undertaken to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of Bordetella bronchiseptica infec tion, and to identify risk factors that might predispose them to the infect ion. Data an individual cats and household variables, including disease sta tus and animal contacts were obtained by questionnaire. B bronchiseptica wa s isolated from 82 (11 per cent) of the cats sampled. The prevalence of B b ronchiseptica varied with the type of household sampled, being 19.5 per cen t in rescue catteries, 9 per cent in breeding catteries, 13.5 per cent in r esearch colonies, and 0 per cent in household pets. On the basis of a univa riable analysis, 19 of 29 predictor variables were found to be significantl y associated with the isolation of B bronchiseptica, including an associati on with cats in rescue catteries, and with cats from premises with larger n umbers of animals. Separate analysis of the rescue cattery subpopulation sh owed a highly significant association on multivariable analysis with curren t respiratory disease, suggesting that different risk factors may operate i n this type of environment. In the whole sample there was also a strong ass ociation with cats from households containing a dog with recent respiratory tract disease. The clinical signs observed in the B bronchiseptico-positiv e cats included sneezing, ocular and nasal discharges and coughing, althoug h only the association with sneezing was statistically significant. There w as no significant association between the isolation of B bronchiseptica and the isolation of respiratory viruses, suggesting that in same circumstance s B bronchiseptica may be able to cause disease independently.