Evaluation of Cytauxzoon felis infection status in captive-born wild felids housed in an area endemic for the pathogen

Lewis, Kristin M.; Cohn, Leah A.; Downey, M.E.; Whitney, Marlyn S.; Birkenheuer, Adam J.

doi:10.2460/javma.241.8.1088

Cited by 21 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…Several felid species have been documented as natural C. felis infection reservoirs, including: bobcat ( Lynx rufus ) [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ], domestic cat ( Felis catus ) [ 30 , 31 ], cougar ( Puma concolor ) [ 32 , 33 , 34 ], and captive tigers [ 35 ]. For many decades, bobcats were presumed the main infection reservoir, while domestic cats were considered a dead-end host as those with observed clinical disease commonly died [ 11 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis Infection-Carriers in Eastern Kansas Domestic Cats

et al. 2020

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Cytauxzoon felis is a hemoprotozoal tick-transmitted pathogen of felids. Felids that survive acute disease often remain infected and serve as reservoirs for subsequent tick transmission to other susceptible felines. States adjacent to Kansas have identified C. felis-domestic cat carriers while statewide awareness and concern of cytauxzoonosis have increased. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of C. felis-carriers in the eastern Kansas domestic cat population using a sensitive quantitative PCR assay targeting the C. felis Cox3 mitochondrial gene. An overall C. felis infection prevalence of 25.8% was determined for asymptomatic domestic cats in eastern Kansas. Significantly more C. felis-carrier cats were identified in spring and fall, suggesting a seasonal fluctuation of survivors. Additionally, a greater percentage of feral and owned cats were positive for C. felis compared to rescue/rescinded cats. This study demonstrates that C. felis-domestic cat carriers are common among cats that spend at least a portion of time outdoors in eastern Kansas, and that more cats likely survive cytauxzoonosis than expected. Understanding the role of domestic cat carriers of C. felis is essential in developing cytauxzoonosis mitigation strategies, including recommending year-round use of acaricide products for all cats that spend any time outdoors.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis Infection-Carriers in Eastern Kansas Domestic Cats

et al. 2020

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“…C. felis appears to be observed primarily in the southcentral regions of the United States of America (USA), where the disease has been extensively studied and the bob cat (Lynx rufus) has been identified as the natural reservoir of the parasite (Brown et al, 2010;Shock et al, 2013). Among the other felids, C. felis has also been diagnosed in lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), pumas (Puma concolor), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), tigrinas (Leopardus tigrinus) and jaguars (Panthera onca) (André et al, 2009;Filoni et al, 2012;Lewis et al, 2012;Peixoto et al, 2007;Rotstein et al, 1999;Soares, 2001;Yabsley et al, 2006;Zinkl et al, 1981).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the free-ranging jaguar (Panthera onca) a reservoir for Cytauxzoon felis in Brazil?

Furtado

Taniwaki

Metzger

et al. 2017

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases

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This study investigated the occurrence of Cytauxzoon felis and Babesia spp. in free-ranging jaguars (Panthera onca), domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and domestic cats (Felis catus) from the Cerrado, Amazon and Pantanal biomes of Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 30 jaguars, 129 dogs and 22 cats for detection of the 18S rRNA genes of piroplasmids. All of the jaguars from the Pantanal (n=22) and Cerrado (n=4) and three of four jaguars from the Amazon were positive for C. felis, but no dogs or cats were positive for the agent. All of the jaguars and domestic cats were negative for Babesia spp., while dogs from the Cerrado (7.9%; 5/63) and Amazon (10.6%; 5/47) biomes tested positive for the hemoparasite. Cytauxzoon nucleotide sequences detected were closely related to C. felis; and Babesia nucleotide sequences showed 100% of identity with Babesia vogeli. Although the pathogenicity of Cytauxzoon spp. genotypes that circulate in Brazil is still unknown, free-ranging jaguars probably play an important role in the maintenance of C. felis in nature. In addition, even though there is no evidence of the circulation of Babesia spp. between jaguars and dogs, the presence of this hemoparasite should be monitored in jaguar populations.

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“…Cytauxzoon felis is a tick-transmitted protozoan parasite that can cause fatal disease in domestic cats and some wild captive felids [ 1 - 5 ]. Cytauxzoonosis was first described in 1976 [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis infection in healthy cats from enzootic areas in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma

et al. 2015

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BackgroundInfection with Cytauxzoon felis in domestic cats can cause fever, lethargy, depression, inappetence, icterus, and often death. With a high mortality rate, cytauxzoonosis was historically considered a fatal disease. Within the last 15 years, cats with or without treatment have been recognized as chronically infected survivors of C. felis infection. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of C. felis in healthy domestic cats from Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.MethodsInfection with C. felis was determined using DNA extracted from anticoagulated whole blood and PCR amplification using C. felis-specific primers. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and odds ratios were used to compare proportions of cats infected with C. felis.ResultsBlood samples were collected from 902 healthy domestic cats between October 2008 and April 2012. DNA from Cytauxzoon felis was detected in 56 of 902 (6.2%; 95% confidence interval, 4.7–7.9) samples. The highest prevalence of C. felis infection (15.5%; 10.3–21.7) was observed in cats from Arkansas, followed by cats from Missouri (12.9%; 6.1–24.0), and cats from Oklahoma (3.4%; 2.2–5.1). Cats sampled in Arkansas and Missouri were 5.1 and 4.2, respectively, times more likely to be chronically infected with C. felis than cats from Oklahoma.ConclusionsInfection with C. felis is common in domestic cats through Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. The high prevalence of C. felis reported herein suggests that infected domestic cats are likely reservoirs of infection for naive felines. The high prevalence of C. felis substantiates the importance for the use of approved acaricides on cats to prevent cytauxzoonosis.

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Evaluation of Cytauxzoon felis infection status in captive-born wild felids housed in an area endemic for the pathogen

Abstract: Captive tigers without clinical signs of disease tested positive for C felis. The PCR assay for C felis appeared to be more reliable than cytologic detection of piroplasms in tigers.

Cited by 21 publications

References 30 publications

Prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis Infection-Carriers in Eastern Kansas Domestic Cats

Prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis Infection-Carriers in Eastern Kansas Domestic Cats

Is the free-ranging jaguar (Panthera onca) a reservoir for Cytauxzoon felis in Brazil?

Prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis infection in healthy cats from enzootic areas in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma

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