title: Hematologic, cytochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular findings of Hepatozoon-infected flat-headed cats (Prionailurus planiceps).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps) is a small wild cat of Southeast Asia and is considered extremely endangered. Little is known about the hematologic values, blood cell morphology, or hemoparasites of this species in relation to other Felidae.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to report basic hematologic values and describe the light microscopic, cytochemical, and ultrastructural characteristics of blood cells in 2 wild-caught flat-headed cats. In addition, molecular analysis was done of a Hepatozoon organism found in the neutrophils of both cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were collected into EDTA from the cephalic vein. A CBC, manual differential count, manual reticulocyte count, cytochemical stains (Sudan black B [SBB], alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase [ANAE], and beta-glucuronidase), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were done using standard methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HCT was slightly lower and reticulocyte counts and red cell distribution width were higher than the expected values for other species of cats. Hepatozoon organisms were found in the cytoplasm of neutrophils in both cats, but the number of infected neutrophils was very low (1%-2%). Neutrophils stained strongly positive for SBB, but were negative for ANAE and beta-glucuronidase. Hepatozoon-infected neutrophils were negative for SBB, but focally positive for ANAE and beta-glucuronidase. By transmission electron microscopy, gamonts of Hepatozoon sp were observed in neutrophils, and rarely free in plasma. Infected neutrophils had fewer specific granules and more mitochondria compared with noninfected neutrophils. PCR products of partial 18S rRNA revealed that the isolate of Hepatozoon in the flat-headed cats was closely related to that of the frog Hepatozoon sp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results add to our understanding of hematologic values and blood cell morphology in Hepatozoon-infected flat-headed cats as well as the molecular analysis of the Hepatozoon organism, and may be useful for the health management and evaluation of hemoparasitic disease in this species.
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand. fvetcls@ku.ac.th
authors: Chaleow
authors: C
authors: Salakij
authors: Jarernsak
authors: J
authors: Salakij
authors: Nual-Anong
authors: NA
authors: Narkkong
authors: Theerapol
authors: T
authors: Sirinarumitr
authors: Rattapan
authors: R
authors: Pattanarangsan
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003044:Coccidia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D045989:Felidae / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010802:Phylogeny