Table 2 Prevalence of exposure and infection with B. persica and demographic characteristics in 103 cats as determined by DNA detection by PCR and antibody detection by ELISA

Total

103

3 (2.9)

18 (17.5%)

20 (19.4%)

Sex

Female

56

1 (1.8)

6 (10.7)

7 (12.5)

Male

47

2 (4.3)

12 (25.5)

13 (27.65)

Statistical significance

χ² = 2.931, df = 1, P = 0.087

χ² = 2.847, df = 1, P = 0.092

Breed

Defined

11

0 (0)

4 (36.4)

4 (36.4)

Mixed

92

3 (3.3)

14 (15.2)

16 (17.4)

Statistical significance

χ² = 1.757, df = 1, P = 0.185

χ² = 1.210, df = 1, P = 0.271

Age

Juvenile

11

0 (0)

0(0)

0 (0)

Adult

92

3 (3.2)

18 (19.5)

20 (21.5)

Statistical significance

χ² = 1.528, df = 1, P = 0.232

χ² = 1.471, df = 1, P = 0.225

Antibiotic treatment

Yes

3

0 (0)

1 (33.3)

1 (33.3)

No

58

2 (3.9)

15 (25.8)

16 (15.7)

Unknown

42

1(2)

2 (4.76)

3 (18.4)

Statistical significance

*χ² = 8.059, df = 2, P = 0.018

*χ²(2) = 6.889, P = 0.032

Habitat

Urban

85

0 (0)

15 (17.6)

15 (17.6)

Rural

18

3 (16.6)

3 (16.6)

5(27.8)

Statistical significance

χ² = 0.0001, df = 1, P = 1

χ² = 0.434, df = 1, P = 0.510

Climate

Mediterranean

70

2 (2.8)

11 (15.7)

12 (17.1)

Semi-arid

31

0

7 (22.5)

7 (22.5)

Arid

2

1 (50)

0

1 (50)

Statistical significance

χ² = 1.134, df = 2, P = 0.567

χ² = 1.413, df = 2, P = 0.493

Geographic area of residence

Central Israel

7

0 (0)

2 (28.6)

2 (28.6)

Jerusalem

42

1 (2.4)

5 (11.9)

5 (11.9)

Judean desert

29

0 (0)

7 (24.1)

7 (24.1)

Coastal plain

22

1 (4.5)

4 (18.2)

5 (22.7)

South-central Israel

3

1 (33.3)

0 (0)

1 (33.3)

Statistical significance

χ² = 3.037, df = 4, P = 0.552

χ² = 2.828, df = 4, P = 0.587