Detection of Babesia hongkongensis sp. nov. in a Free-Roaming Felis catus Cat in Hong Kong

Wong, Samson S. Y.; Poon, Rosana W.S.; Hui, Janet J.Y.; Yuen, Kwok‐Yung

doi:10.1128/jcm.01300-12

Cited by 20 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…Babesia leo was considered to infect lions in South Africa, but it has also been detected in a clinically healthy domestic cat [ 6 , 20 ]. Babesia hongkongensis infection in cats has only been reported in Hong Kong, China [ 29 ]. The clinical course of other Babesia species in felids has not been well characterized [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular evidence of piroplasm infection in companion animals in Hunan Province, China

Wang

Sun

et al. 2020

BMC Vet Res

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Background Feline and canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Babesia. The disease has a worldwide distribution and causes serious health problems in domestic and wild canidae and felidae. Results Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples, which were randomly collected from pet dogs ( n = 115) and cats ( n = 25) in Changsha city of Hunan Province, China. Results of nested PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA gene and partial gene sequencing revealed that seven animals were infected with Babesia species, five dogs (5/115, 4.3%) and two cats (2/25, 8.0%). Sequence analysis showed that four dogs (3.5%) were positive for Babesia canis , and the other one for Babesia vogeli (0.87%). The two cats were infected by Babesia hongkongensis. Conclusions The findings of this study will expand knowledge of the distribution of Babesia species and provide important epidemiological information for the control of animal babesiosis in China.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular evidence of piroplasm infection in companion animals in Hunan Province, China

Wang

Sun

et al. 2020

BMC Vet Res

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“…Recently a new Babesia species, Babesia hongkongensis has been identified in the feline population. 10 The prevalence of this new local species is low among free-roaming cats in Hong Kong and the pathogenicity in pet cats is unknown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Babesiosis acquired from a pet dog: a second reported case in Hong Kong

Chan¹,

Tsang²,

Chik³

et al. 2016

Hong Kong Med J

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A 61-year-old Chinese man was admitted to our hospital in June 2012 with a 2-week history of fever and chills. After admission, he developed hypotension and respiratory distress and was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for further management.He frequently commuted between New York, Hong Kong, and Shanghai for business. He lived in his own house in New York and had a dog. Three weeks before onset of his symptoms, he swept his basement where his dog spent most of its time. He was not aware of any tick bite.He was a chronic smoker but enjoyed good past health. His symptoms began with fever and chills while in China. He also experienced malaise and a mild dry cough. He had no skin rash, or abdominal or urinary symptoms. A diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection was made and he was given a course of piperacillin-tazobactam during hospitalisation in China. Symptoms persisted, however, and he presented to a public hospital in Hong Kong. Initial blood tests revealed a normochromic normocytic anaemia (haemoglobin, 81 g/L) with reticulocytosis, marked thrombocytopenia, and moderate renal impairment. Blood smear revealed the presence of intra-erythrocytic ring-form parasites, suggestive of Plasmodium falciparum infection (Fig 1). Chest X-ray showed bilateral extensive abnormal lung infiltrates. He was transferred to our hospital for further management.He soon developed shock and was transferred to the ICU. Further blood tests revealed hyperbilirubinaemia and evidence of haemolysis. Peripheral blood smear for malaria was repeated and revealed 3.8% parasitised red cells. Pleomorphic ring forms were noted, with occasional arrangement in a cross-like pattern (Fig 2). Rapid antigen test for P falciparum was negative and this raised the suspicion of babesiosis. A subsequent blood Babesia microti polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was positive and a diagnosis of babesiosis was confirmed.Quinine and clindamycin were initiated. The patient experienced severe tinnitus after 5 days of treatment and quinine was stopped. Doxycycline was added for treatment due to persistent fever

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“…An apparently new species, genetically and geographically distinct from other previously described Babesia species and tentatively named B. hongkongensis, was found in blood and kidney specimens of a free-ranging cat in Hong Kong (41). Its mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences (GenBank accession no.…”

Section: Babesia Hongkongensismentioning

confidence: 91%

Babesia Species of Domestic Cats: Molecular Characterization Has Opened Pandora's Box

Penzhorn

Oosthuizen

2020

Front. Vet. Sci.

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This is the first comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to Babesia species reported from domestic cats. Description of the four species (Babesia felis, Babesia cati, Babesia herpailuri, and Babesia pantherae) named based on morphology and/or host specificity is documented. Feline babesiosis is of major veterinary concern only in South Africa. Reports of the rare occurrence of feline babesiosis cases in Europe (France, Germany, Poland, and Spain) and Asia (Israel, India, and Pakistan) are documented. Molecular characterization has revealed that cats can harbor a variety of Babesia species. The previous practice of referring to all piroplasms, especially small ones, seen on feline blood smears as B. felis is therefore no longer tenable. The near-full-length 18S rRNA gene sequences entered into GenBank in 2001 (accession no. AF244912) are designated as definitive for B. felis sensu stricto. All published literature relating to molecular characterization of feline Babesia species that could be traced was critically assessed. Four Babesia species are now known to be involved in causing feline babesiosis in South Africa: the closely related B. felis s.s. and Babesia leo (clade I), Babesia lengau (clade II), and Babesia species cat Western Cape (clade VI, Babesia s.s.). Clade VI also includes Babesia canis presentii and Babesia hongkongensis reported from cats in Asia. Six other Babesia species have been reported from domestic cats: the dog-associated B. canis s.s., Babesia gibsoni, and B. vogeli, as well as Babesia lohae, Babesia microti, and Babesia vulpes. Phylogenetic relationships of all named species were assessed and are presented as trees. The relatively high prevalence of B. vogeli in clinically healthy cats (16% in Brazil, 13% on St Kitts, and 8.1% in Portugal) suggests that immunocompetent cats can harbor the infection with no discernible untoward effects. Reports of occurrence of B. felis and other Babesia species in domestic cats should be accepted only if they are supported by credible molecular provenance.

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Detection of Babesia hongkongensis sp. nov. in a Free-Roaming Felis catus Cat in Hong Kong

Cited by 20 publications

References 15 publications

Molecular evidence of piroplasm infection in companion animals in Hunan Province, China

Molecular evidence of piroplasm infection in companion animals in Hunan Province, China

Babesiosis acquired from a pet dog: a second reported case in Hong Kong

Babesia Species of Domestic Cats: Molecular Characterization Has Opened Pandora's Box

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