Molecular Detection of Cytauxzoon Spp. Infection and Haemato-Biochemical Alterations Associated with It in Domestic Cats
-
Namrata Namrata
,
Pallav Shekhar
,
Mritunjay Kumar
,
Anil Kumar
,
Shyma Kp
,
Pankaj Kumar
,
Vivek Kumar Singh
,
Rajesh Kumar
,
Archana Kumari
Abstract
Background: Cytauxzoonosis is a tick borne hemoprotozoal disease of wild and domestic felids. Its epidemiology and clinical importance is less appreciated in India. The aim of this study was to diagnose the disease in domestic cats and identify the associated clinico-haemato-biochemical changes.
Methods: Three hundred ninety domestic cats, presented at Veterinary Clinical Complex, Bihar Veterinary College and three private clinics in Bihar, India were screened, out of which 90 cats showing symptoms of cytauxzoonosis were included in microscopic and molecular examination. The clinical, haematological and biochemical findings of the positive cats were recorded.
Results: The microscopic and molecular prevalence was 26.66% (24/90) and 37.77% (34/90) respectively. Lethargy, fever, anorexia, tachypnea and tachycardia were the most common clinical findings. The significant haematological changes recorded were decreased haemoglobin, haematocrit, TEC and thrombocytopenia. The significant biochemical changes were increased ALT and AST activities, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoproteinaemia with hypoalbuminemia and increased BUN concentration.
Conclusion: The infection of Cytauxzoon sp. has reached the domestic cats of Bihar, India which was earlier thought to be endemic in North America. The clinical manifestations and hemato-biochemical changes are somewhat similar to other hemoprotozoan diseases. Molecular diagnosis is inevitable for confirmation of infection. Further studies are required to reveal the vector responsible for transmission of the parasite in India.
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2. Wagner JE. A fatal cytauxzoonosis-like disease in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1976; 168:585–588.
3. Wang JL, Li TT, Liu GH, et al. Two tales of Cytauxzoon felis infections in domestic cats. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2017; 30:861–885.
4. Nietfeld JC and Pollock C. Fatal cytauxzoonosis in a free-ranging bobcat (Lynx rufus). J Wildl Dis. 2002; 38:607– 610.
5. Cohn LA, Shaw D, Shoemake C, et al. Second illness due to subsequent Cytauxzoon felis infection in a domestic cat. JFMS Open Rep. 2020; 6(1):2055116920908963.
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7. Penninck D, D’Anjou M. Atlas of Small Animal Ultrasonography. 2nd Edn. John Wiley & Sons, 2015.
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10. Cohn LA, Birkenheuer AJ, Brunker JD, et al. Efficacy of atovaquone and azithromycin or imidocarb dipropionate in Cats with Acute Cytauxzoonosis. J Vet Intern Med. 2011; 25:55–60.
11. Cohn LA, Birkenheuer AJ. Cytauxzoonosis Infectious diseases of the dog and cat. Greene C. 2011; 764–770. St Louis, Mo: Saunders Elsevier.
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13. Weisman JL, Woldemeskel M, Smith KD et al. Miller D. Blood smear from a pregnant cat that died shortly after partial abortion. Vet Clin Pathol. 2007; 36:209–211.
14. Birkenheuer AJ, Le JA, Valenzisi AM, et al. Cytauxzoon felis infection in cats in the Mid-Atlantic States: 34 cases (1998–2004). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006; 228:568–71.
15. Carli E, Trotta M, Chinelli R, et al. Cytauxzoon sp. infection in the first endemic focus described in domestic cats in Europe. Vet Parasitol. 2012; 183:343–352.
16. Karaca M, Akkan HA, Tutuncu M, et al. Cytauxzoonosis in Van Cats. YYU Vet Fak Derg. 2007; 18(1):37–39.
17. Reichard MV, Meinkoth JH, Edwards AC, et al. Transmission of Cytauxzoon felis to a domestic cat by Amblyomma americanum. Vet Parasitol. 2009; 161:110–5.
18. Reichard MV, Edwards AC, Meinkoth JH, et al. 2010. Confirmation of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) as a vector for Cytauxzoon felis (Piroplasmorida: Theileriidae) to domestic cats. J Med Entomol. 2010; 47: 890–896.
19. Nentwig A, Meli ML, Schrack J, et al. First report of Cytauxzoon sp. infection in domestic cats in Switzerland: natural and transfusion-transmitted infections. Parasit Vectors. 2018; 11(1):292.
20. Brown HM, Modaresi SM, Cook JL, et al. Genetic variability of archived Cytauxzoon felis histologic specimens from domestic cats in Georgia, 1995–2007. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2009; 21:493–498.
21. Schreeg ME, Marr HS, Griffith EH, et al. PCR amplification of a multi-copy mitochondrial gene (cox3) improves detection of Cytauxzoon felis infection as compared to a ribosomal gene (18S). Vet Parasitol. 2016; 225: 123–130.
22. Carli E, Trotta M, Bianchi E, et al. Cytauxzoon sp. infection in two free ranging young cats: clinico-pathological findings, therapy and follow up. Türk Parazitol Derg. 2014; 38(3):185–189.
23. Alho AM, Silva J, Fonseca MJ, et al. First report of Cytauxzoon sp. infection in a domestic cat from Portugal. Parasit Vectors. 2016; 9:220.
24. Antognoni MT, Rocconi F, Ravagnan S, et al. Cytauxzoon sp. infection and coinfections in three domestic cats in central Italy. Vet Sci. 2022; 9: 50.
25. Carli E, Solano-Gallego L, De Arcangeli S, et al. Clinicopathological findings and risk factors associated with Cytauxzoon spp. infection in cats: A case-control study (2008–2021). Front Vet Sci. 2022; 9:976173.
26. Meier HT, Moore LE. Feline cytauxzoonosis: a case report and literature review. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2000; 36:493– 496.
27. Legroux JP, Halos L, René-Martellet M, et al. First clinical case report of Cytauxzoon sp. infection in a domestic cat in France. BMC Vet Res. 2017; 13: 81.
28. Conner BJ, Hanel RM, Brooks MB, et al. Coagulation Abnormalities in 5 Cats with Naturally Occurring Cytauxzoonosis. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2015; 25: 538–545.
29. Levi M, Schultz M, van der Poll T. Disseminated intravascular coagulation in infectious disease. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2010; 36(4):367-77.
30. Rizzi T, Clinkenbeard K, Meinkoth J. Schalm’s Veterinary Hematology. 6th Edn. Wiley Blackwell, Iowa; 2002.
31. Maia LM, Cerqueira Ade M, de Barros Macieira D, et al. Cytauxzoon felis and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ coinfection in a Brazilian domestic cat (Felis catus). Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2013; 22 (2): 289–291.
32. Harvey JW, Dunbar MR, Norton TM, et al. Laboratory findings in acute Cytauxzoon felis infection in Cougars (Puma concolor couguar) in Florida. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2007; 38:285–291.
33. Kaneko JJ, Harvey JW, Bruss ML. Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals. 6th Edn. Academic Press, San Diego, 2008.
34. Frontera-Acevedo K, Balsone NM, Dugan MA, et al. Systemic immune responses in Cytauxzoon felis-infected domestic cats. Am J Vet Res. 2013; 74:901–909.
35. Peixoto PV, Soares CO, Scofield A, et al. 2007. Fatal cytauxzoonosis in captive-reared lions in Brazil. Vet Parasitol. 2007; 145:383–387.
36. Brown HM, Latimer KS, Erikson LE, et al. Detection of persistent Cytauxzoon felis infection by polymerase chain reaction in three asymptomatic domestic cats. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2008; 20(4): 485–488.
37. Aschenbroich SA, Rech RR, Sousa RS, et al. Pathology in practice. Cytauxzoon felis infection. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012; 240:159 –161.
2. Wagner JE. A fatal cytauxzoonosis-like disease in cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1976; 168:585–588.
3. Wang JL, Li TT, Liu GH, et al. Two tales of Cytauxzoon felis infections in domestic cats. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2017; 30:861–885.
4. Nietfeld JC and Pollock C. Fatal cytauxzoonosis in a free-ranging bobcat (Lynx rufus). J Wildl Dis. 2002; 38:607– 610.
5. Cohn LA, Shaw D, Shoemake C, et al. Second illness due to subsequent Cytauxzoon felis infection in a domestic cat. JFMS Open Rep. 2020; 6(1):2055116920908963.
6. Grillini M, Beraldo P, Frangipane di Regalbono A, et al. Molecular survey of Cytauxzoon spp. and Hepatozoon spp. in felids using a novel real-time PCR approach. Front Vet Sci. 2023; 10:1113681.
7. Penninck D, D’Anjou M. Atlas of Small Animal Ultrasonography. 2nd Edn. John Wiley & Sons, 2015.
8. Diaz-Reganon D, Villaescusa A, Ayllon T, et al. Molecular detection of Hepatozoon spp. and Cytauxzoon sp. in domestic and stray cats from Madrid, Spain. Parasit Vectors. 2017; 10:112.
9. Snecdecor, CW, Cochran WG. Statistical Methods. 8th Edn. Iowa State University press, USA, 1994.
10. Cohn LA, Birkenheuer AJ, Brunker JD, et al. Efficacy of atovaquone and azithromycin or imidocarb dipropionate in Cats with Acute Cytauxzoonosis. J Vet Intern Med. 2011; 25:55–60.
11. Cohn LA, Birkenheuer AJ. Cytauxzoonosis Infectious diseases of the dog and cat. Greene C. 2011; 764–770. St Louis, Mo: Saunders Elsevier.
12. Moghaddam MR, Zaeemi M, Razmi GR. Preliminary study of Cytauxzoon felis infection in outdoor cats in Mashhad, Iran. Parasitol Res. 2020; 119: 4177–4183.
13. Weisman JL, Woldemeskel M, Smith KD et al. Miller D. Blood smear from a pregnant cat that died shortly after partial abortion. Vet Clin Pathol. 2007; 36:209–211.
14. Birkenheuer AJ, Le JA, Valenzisi AM, et al. Cytauxzoon felis infection in cats in the Mid-Atlantic States: 34 cases (1998–2004). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006; 228:568–71.
15. Carli E, Trotta M, Chinelli R, et al. Cytauxzoon sp. infection in the first endemic focus described in domestic cats in Europe. Vet Parasitol. 2012; 183:343–352.
16. Karaca M, Akkan HA, Tutuncu M, et al. Cytauxzoonosis in Van Cats. YYU Vet Fak Derg. 2007; 18(1):37–39.
17. Reichard MV, Meinkoth JH, Edwards AC, et al. Transmission of Cytauxzoon felis to a domestic cat by Amblyomma americanum. Vet Parasitol. 2009; 161:110–5.
18. Reichard MV, Edwards AC, Meinkoth JH, et al. 2010. Confirmation of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) as a vector for Cytauxzoon felis (Piroplasmorida: Theileriidae) to domestic cats. J Med Entomol. 2010; 47: 890–896.
19. Nentwig A, Meli ML, Schrack J, et al. First report of Cytauxzoon sp. infection in domestic cats in Switzerland: natural and transfusion-transmitted infections. Parasit Vectors. 2018; 11(1):292.
20. Brown HM, Modaresi SM, Cook JL, et al. Genetic variability of archived Cytauxzoon felis histologic specimens from domestic cats in Georgia, 1995–2007. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2009; 21:493–498.
21. Schreeg ME, Marr HS, Griffith EH, et al. PCR amplification of a multi-copy mitochondrial gene (cox3) improves detection of Cytauxzoon felis infection as compared to a ribosomal gene (18S). Vet Parasitol. 2016; 225: 123–130.
22. Carli E, Trotta M, Bianchi E, et al. Cytauxzoon sp. infection in two free ranging young cats: clinico-pathological findings, therapy and follow up. Türk Parazitol Derg. 2014; 38(3):185–189.
23. Alho AM, Silva J, Fonseca MJ, et al. First report of Cytauxzoon sp. infection in a domestic cat from Portugal. Parasit Vectors. 2016; 9:220.
24. Antognoni MT, Rocconi F, Ravagnan S, et al. Cytauxzoon sp. infection and coinfections in three domestic cats in central Italy. Vet Sci. 2022; 9: 50.
25. Carli E, Solano-Gallego L, De Arcangeli S, et al. Clinicopathological findings and risk factors associated with Cytauxzoon spp. infection in cats: A case-control study (2008–2021). Front Vet Sci. 2022; 9:976173.
26. Meier HT, Moore LE. Feline cytauxzoonosis: a case report and literature review. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2000; 36:493– 496.
27. Legroux JP, Halos L, René-Martellet M, et al. First clinical case report of Cytauxzoon sp. infection in a domestic cat in France. BMC Vet Res. 2017; 13: 81.
28. Conner BJ, Hanel RM, Brooks MB, et al. Coagulation Abnormalities in 5 Cats with Naturally Occurring Cytauxzoonosis. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2015; 25: 538–545.
29. Levi M, Schultz M, van der Poll T. Disseminated intravascular coagulation in infectious disease. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2010; 36(4):367-77.
30. Rizzi T, Clinkenbeard K, Meinkoth J. Schalm’s Veterinary Hematology. 6th Edn. Wiley Blackwell, Iowa; 2002.
31. Maia LM, Cerqueira Ade M, de Barros Macieira D, et al. Cytauxzoon felis and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ coinfection in a Brazilian domestic cat (Felis catus). Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2013; 22 (2): 289–291.
32. Harvey JW, Dunbar MR, Norton TM, et al. Laboratory findings in acute Cytauxzoon felis infection in Cougars (Puma concolor couguar) in Florida. J Zoo Wildl Med. 2007; 38:285–291.
33. Kaneko JJ, Harvey JW, Bruss ML. Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals. 6th Edn. Academic Press, San Diego, 2008.
34. Frontera-Acevedo K, Balsone NM, Dugan MA, et al. Systemic immune responses in Cytauxzoon felis-infected domestic cats. Am J Vet Res. 2013; 74:901–909.
35. Peixoto PV, Soares CO, Scofield A, et al. 2007. Fatal cytauxzoonosis in captive-reared lions in Brazil. Vet Parasitol. 2007; 145:383–387.
36. Brown HM, Latimer KS, Erikson LE, et al. Detection of persistent Cytauxzoon felis infection by polymerase chain reaction in three asymptomatic domestic cats. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2008; 20(4): 485–488.
37. Aschenbroich SA, Rech RR, Sousa RS, et al. Pathology in practice. Cytauxzoon felis infection. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012; 240:159 –161.
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| Issue | Vol 20 No 3 (2025) | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Cyatuxzoonosis Cats India Piroplasm | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Namrata N, Shekhar P, Kumar M, Kumar A, Kp S, Kumar P, Kumar Singh V, Kumar R, Kumari A. Molecular Detection of Cytauxzoon Spp. Infection and Haemato-Biochemical Alterations Associated with It in Domestic Cats. Iran J Parasitol. 2025;20(3):465-474.
