title: Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a domestic cat in Finland: Case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anaplasmosis is a vectorborne disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This species displays positive tropism to granulocytes and can cause illness in several mammalian species, including cats, dogs, and humans. It is considered as an emerging disease in Europe. The clinical signs are nonspecific and include fever, lethargy, and inappetence. The most typical hematologic abnormality is thrombocytopenia. A tentative diagnosis can be made by detecting intracytoplasmic morulae inside neutrophils. The diagnosis is confirmed by PCR and serology in paired serum samples. A sample for PCR analysis should be taken before treatment. Anaplasmosis is treated with doxycycline.
  
  
  METHODS
  A feline case of anaplasmosis is presented. The history, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case indicates that Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects cats in Finland. To provide accurate treatment, anaplasmosis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in cats suffering from acute febrile illness with previous tick exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. helka.heikkila@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Helka M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Heikkilä
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bondarenko
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mihalkov
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Spillmann
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005387:Finland; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial