First report of Cytauxzoon sp. infection in a domestic cat from Portugal. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alho, Ana; Silva, Joana; Fonseca, Maria; Santos, Filipa; Nunes, Cláudia; de Carvalho, Luís; Rodrigues, Manuel; Cardoso, Luís
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Cytauxzoon sp. -- Cytauxzoon manul -- Haemoparasite -- Piroplasm -- Domestic cat -- Tick-borne disease -- Portugal; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1506-5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background Cytauxzoonosis is an emerging and life-threatening tick-borne feline disease caused by haemoprotozoan parasites of the genusCytauxzoon . Information regarding epidemiological and clinical presentation of infections by species other thanCytauxzoon felis is scant. A case ofCytauxzoon sp. infection is described in a 2-year-old mixed breed male domestic cat from Portugal, presenting a history of acute lethargy, anorexia and pyrexia. Results Complete blood count revealed a severe anaemia, leucocytosis and thrombocytopenia. A pleural effusion was noticed on thoracic radiograph, and marked splenomegaly and free abdominal fluid were visualized by ultrasound. A molecular screening for the detection of causative agents of infectious anaemia was performed, and a positive result for Piroplasmorida was obtained. DNA sequencing of a 743 bp amplicon of the 18S rRNA gene (GenBank accession no. KU710344) revealed 99.9 % identity withCytauxzoon manul . Conclusions This is the first report ofCytauxzoon sp. (clustering together withC. manul ) in a felid from Portugal. Clinical manifestations along with molecular analysis suggest the hypothesis that domestic cats might be infected with and serve as a reservoir host forC. manul .