IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Alves, B.S.G. | |
| Infectious disease status of the Scottish free-living cat population, including European wildcat (_Felis silvestris_), domestic cats (_Felis catus_) and domestic-wildcat hybrids, in the context of _F. silvestris_ conservation | |
| 2020 Full Book | |
The main contemporary threat to the survival of the European wildcat (_Felis silvestris_) in Scotland is hybridisation with domestic cats (_Felis catus_). The level of hybridisation could be close to 100% and there is currently a genetic continuum in the population of Scottish free-living cats (including wildcats, domestic cats and hybrids). This has resulted from an increased contact between wildcats and domestic cats, as a consequence of severe population declines due to anthropogenic habitat loss and persecution. In parallel with hybridisation, the high contact rate between the two species enhances the risk of exposure of F. silvestris to feline infectious agents. The general aims of this study were to assess the disease status of the Scottish free-living cat populations, to investigate possible risk factors and to discuss the potential threat of feline infectious diseases in the context of F. silvestris conservation. Samples from 120 free-living cats were collected between 2015 and 2019, in six conservation Priority Areas defined by Scottish Wildcat Action (SWA). These samples were tested for eleven common feline infectious agents: feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus (FHV), _Chlamydia felis_, _Bordetella bronchiseptica_, _Mycoplasma felis_, _Mycoplasma haemofelis,_ Candidatus_ Mycoplasma haemominutum_, Candidatus_ Mycoplasma turicensis_ and _Tritrichomonas foetus_. All the agents were tested by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). FIV and FeLV were also tested in the field, using a point of care test. Prevalence calculations were performed, followed by investigation of risk factors (Q or hybrid score, sex, age, body condition score, social system and priority area) using logistic regression analysis. The results confirmed the presence of all infectious agents investigated in the population studied. Prevalences of 6.7% for FIV, 2.5% for FeLV, 20% for FVC, 6.7% for FHV, 2.6% for _C. felis_, 12.6% for_ B. bronchiseptica_, 4.4% for _M. felis_, 6.7% for _M. Haemofelis_, 25.2% for Ca. _M. haemominutum_, 7.6% for Ca. _M. turicensis_ and 8.8% for _T. foetus_ were estimated. Analysis of risk factors revealed significant associations with certain infectious agents. FIV and Ca. _M. haemominutum_ were both significantly associated with Q score, sex and priority area. Ca. _M. haemominutum_ was also associated with age. FIV and FeLV were associated with social system. FCV system infection was associated with Q score, sex and social system. Priority area and sex were found to be risk factors for all feline haemoplasma infections (_M. haemofelis_, Ca. _M. haemominutum_ and Ca. _M. turicensis_). _B. bronchiseptica_ was only associated with priority area. _M. felis_ was the only agent found to be associated with body condition score. No risk factors were found for FHV, _C. felis_ or _T. foetus_. This study demonstrates the presence of eleven common feline infectious agents in the free-living cat population of Scotland. The risks posed by these pathogens, in terms of wildcat conservation, are still unclear and require further research, not only in Scotland, but across the species range. However, combined with other threats, such as ongong habitat loss and fragmentation, infectious disease deserves recognition for potential negative impact on wildcat health and population viability. Comprehensive disease surveillance should be an important of any future strategy for the conservation of _F. silvestris_ in Scotland. |
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