Cats surviving natural infection with Cytauxzoon felis: 18 cases (1997-1998).
Eighteen cats surviving natural infection with Cytauxzoon felis were identified. All cats came from a limited geographic area in northwestern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Clinical signs in most cats were similar to those described for cytauxzoonosis; however, 4 cats were asymptomatic. All cases were initially diagnosed by microscopic identification of signet ring-shaped piroplasms in erythrocytes of peripheral blood smears. Four of 4 cats tested had detectable serum antibodies to C felis. Four different cats were positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Partial sequencing of the PCR product from 1 cat revealed >99% homology with the reported sequence of C felis. Repeated examination of blood smears from 12 cats revealed that the erythroparasitemia was generally persistent for the duration of follow-up (3-154 days). Survival did not seem dependent on treatment, as only 1 cat was treated with a drug with potential antiprotozoal activity (imidocarb dipropionate), and 4 cats received no treatment. The findings of this study may indicate the existence of a less virulent strain of C felis.
Meinkoth
J
J
Department of Anatomy, Pathology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078-2007, USA. jhm@okstate.edu
Kocan
A A
AA
Whitworth
L
L
Murphy
G
G
Fox
J C
JC
Woods
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001131:Arkansas; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay / Q000662:veterinary; D009825:Oklahoma; D016792:Piroplasmida / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D017931:DNA Primers; D004247:DNA