title: Development and evaluation of a PCR assay for the detection of Cytauxzoon felis DNA in feline blood samples.
abstract: Cytauxzoonosis is an emerging tick borne infectious disease of domestic cats in the United States, caused by the organism Cytauxzoon felis (C. felis). In naturally infected domestic cats the disease is almost always fatal. Currently there are no commercially available molecular or serologic tests to facilitate the antemortem diagnosis of C. felis infection. Clinical and pathological diagnosis of cytauxzoonosis is based on microscopic identification of parasites in tissues or on blood smears. We have developed and evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay for the diagnosis of C. felis infections in feline blood samples. The assay is sensitive enough to detect one copy of a cloned fragment of the C. felis 18S rRNA gene. This PCR assay can be used for the rapid clinical diagnosis of cytauxzoonosis and for epidemiological studies that will better define the geographic distribution of C. felis infection in cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA. ajbirken@ncsu.edu
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Birkenheuer
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marr
authors.forename: A Rick
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Alleman
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Breitschwerdt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000469:parasitology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D016792:Piroplasmida / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000469:parasitology; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000032:analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S