Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection of domestic cats: 16 cases from the northeastern USA

Abstract

This is the first published report describing A phagocytophilum morulae in neutrophils of naturally infected North American cats with infection confirmed by PCR. A phagocytophilum infection should be considered in cats evaluated for lethargy, anorexia and fever living in Ixodes species endemic areas.

ACVIM consensus update on Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats

“…also are the vector for A. phagocytophilum . Anaplasmosis has been documented in cats in 2 studies in a Bb‐endemic region . Clinical signs of anaplasmosis and borreliosis are similar to each other in dogs and people, and this may be the case for cats as well.…”

“…Because borreliosis in cats has never been confirmed in a single cat, the optimal treatment plan is unknown. In cats with suspected anaplasmosis, clinical signs rapidly resolve after doxycycline is administered at 5 mg/kg q12h or 10 mg/kg PO q24h for 14–28 days . Whether or not these cats also were infected with Bb cannot be determined.…”

“…In cats with suspected anaplasmosis, clinical signs rapidly resolve after doxycycline is administered at 5 mg/kg q12h or 10 mg/kg PO q24h for 14-28 days. 77,78 Whether or not these cats also were infected with Bb cannot be determined. Based on studies of acute borreliosis in dogs, these doxycycline protocols are likely to be effective in cats as well.…”

Update on Canine and Feline Blood Donor Screening for Blood‐Borne Pathogens

“…Cats with A. phagocytophilum infections can develop mild clinical illness that resolves quickly with administration of doxycycline . Research cats infested with field‐caught I. scapularis from endemic areas become PCR positive before seroconversion, develop antibodies that can be detected by a commercially available assay used with dog sera, a and maintain rickettsemia for weeks before administration of doxycycline .…”

“…Research cats infested with field‐caught I. scapularis from endemic areas become PCR positive before seroconversion, develop antibodies that can be detected by a commercially available assay used with dog sera, a and maintain rickettsemia for weeks before administration of doxycycline . In addition, some cats with A. phagocytophilum infections will have morulae visualized cytologically in the cytoplasm of neutrophils . Because this organism causes illness in cats, can be transmitted experimentally by blood inoculation, results in persistent infection, and is associated with illness, the panel recommends that optimally healthy cats from endemic areas be screened for A. phagocytophilum infection by serology and PCR and be negative in both tests (Table ).…”