Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a domestic cat in Finland: Case report

Abstract

BackgroundAnaplasmosis 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.Case presentationA feline case of anaplasmosis is presented. The history, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up are discussed.ConclusionsThis 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.

First Report ofAnaplasma phagocytophilumandBabesia microtiin Rodents in Finland

“…A. phagocytophilum is known to cause tick-borne fever in cattle in Finland (Tuomi 1966), and, recently, a domestic cat was diagnosed with A. phagocytophilum infection (Heikkilä et al 2010). B. microti, in turn, has been reported in a single Ixodes persulcatus tick in western Finland (Alekseev et al 2007).…”

Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Questing Ixodes ricinus Ticks: Comparison of Prevalences and Partial 16S rRNA Gene Variants in Urban, Pasture, and Natural Habitats

“…he obligate intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum is transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks in Europe (1) and causes granulocytic anaplasmosis in humans and several other mammalian species (2)(3)(4)(5). Reservoir hosts are necessary to maintain the endemic cycle of A. phagocytophilum (transstadial but not transovarial transmission [6]).…”

Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a cat

“…Analysis of blood smears stained using the Giemsa method showed no inclusions characteristic of A. phagocytophilum in the leukocytes of the sick cat (Bjoersdorff et al 1999;Adaszek et al 2009;Schaarschmidt-Kiener et al 2009;Heikkila et al 2010). Similar observations were made by Lappin et al (2004) and Bjoersdorff et al (1999).…”

“…There are just a few specific reports that include detailed case descriptions regarding the disease in domestic cats (Bjoersdorff et al 1999;Lappin et al 2004;Tarello 2005;SchaarschmidtKiener et al 2009;Heikkila et al 2010).…”

“…There are just a few specific reports that include detailed case descriptions regarding the disease in domestic cats (Lappin et al 2004). In Europe such cases were described in Sweden (Bjoersdorff et al 1999), in Italy (Tarello 2005), in Switzerland (Schaarschmidt-Kiener et al 2009) and in Finland (Heikkila et al 2010).…”