title: Molecular detection of Hepatozoon spp. and Cytauxzoon sp. in domestic and stray cats from Madrid, Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different species of apicomplexan protozoans of the genera Hepatozoon and Cytauxzoon can infect domestic cats, but their epidemiology and clinical relevance are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the molecular prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. and Cytauxzoon spp. and to identify associated risk factors and clinical and laboratory abnormalities in a population of cats from Madrid, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred and forty-four client-owned and stray cats from Madrid, Spain, were included in this study. DNA samples were analyzed by two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to detect a partial sequence of the 18S rRNA gene of Hepatozoon spp. and Cytauxzoon spp. In order to evaluate possible associations between infection by these protozoans and epidemiological or clinical parameters, data were collected related to: the season of sample collection, age, gender, spayed/neutered status, breed, living area, lifestyle, outdoor access, contact with other animals, prey on wild animals, history of tick or flea infestation, travel history, ectoparasiticide treatment, previous blood transfusion, previous tetracycline administration in the last 60 days, Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency virus (FIV) status, positivity to other vector-borne diseases, the presence or absence of clinical signs and hematological or biochemical alterations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DNA of Hepatozoon spp. and Cytauxzoon sp. was amplified from the blood of 10 (1.6%) and 8 (1.2%) cats, respectively. Previous treatment with tetracyclines in the last 60 days, previous administration of blood transfusion, a decrease in haematocrit and an increase in creatinine were associated with Hepatozoon spp. infection. Cytauxzoon sp. infection was more frequent in samples collected during the winter months and in cats living in rural areas. This infection was associated with a FIV-positive status. Some of the cats that were positive for Hepatozoon spp. or Cytauxzoon sp. had been exposed to other vector-borne pathogens, such as Ehrlichia canis and Bartonella henselae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that cats from Madrid, central Spain, are infected with Hepatozoon spp. and Cytauxzoon sp., although with a low prevalence. Further studies are needed to determine the virulence of these agents in Spanish cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Díaz-Regañón
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villaescusa
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz, Avenida Brazil 4365, CEP 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ayllón
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Franco
authors.affiliation: Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 76100, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Gad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baneth
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Lydia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calleja-Bueno
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Sancho
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Agulla
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. angelehr@vet.ucm.es.
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Sainz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016782:Apicomplexa / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D057805:Pets / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary*; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: Cat; Central Spain; Cytauxzoon sp.; Hepatozoon canis; Hepatozoon felis; PCR