Molecular detection of Hepatozoon felis in cats from Maio Island, Republic of Cape Verde and global distribution of feline hepatozoonosis

Abstract

Background Vector-borne diseases are emerging worldwide and have an important zoonotic relevance. In the last few years, the interest in vector-borne pathogens in cats has increased. However, studies on feline vector-borne pathogens on tropical islands are lacking. Islands differ from continental countries because they have an enclosed population of animals, with all year presence of the vectors and, most often, without vector control measures. This study focused on the molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of vector-borne pathogens in autochthonous cats with a mixed indoor–outdoor lifestyle from Maio Island, Cape Verde archipelago. Methods Blood samples were collected from 80 asymptomatic cats, representing almost a quarter of the total cat population of the island. The presence of DNA of protozoa of the genus Hepatozoon and bacteria belonging to family Anaplasmataceae and to genus Bartonella was assessed by PCR and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. Statistical analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with infection. For feline hepatozoonosis, a worldwide dataset of Hepatozoon felis sequences retrieved from mammal species and vectors along with Hepatozoon spp. sequences retrieved from felids was generated, phylogenetically analyzed and the geographical and host distribution was assessed. Results Hepatozoon felis genotype I was identified in 12 (15%) cats from Maio Island whereas none of the cats were PCR positive for the other pathogens tested. No significant association of H. felis infection with age, sex, location or presence of vectors was observed by statistical analysis in Cape Verde’s cats. Phylogenetic analysis on the worldwide dataset of feline Hepatozoon sequences showed two significant distinct clades for H. felis genotype I and II. Different geographical distributions were assessed: H. felis genotype I was the only genotype found in Africa and has been reported worldwide, with the exception of Japan and Brazil where only H. felis genotype II has been reported. Conclusions The identification of H. felis genotype I in cats in Maio Island highlights the need to further investigate the significance of H. felis genotypes and to clarify the epidemiological aspects of this infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3551-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Molecular screening indicates high prevalence and mixed infections of Hepatozoon parasites in wild felines from South Africa

“…Several recent screening approaches have shone light on the genetic diversity within H. felis in mammals in Africa. Pereira et al ( 2019 ) identified H. felis in 15% of cats from Maio Island, in the Cape Verde archipelago, all of which were identical to a haplotype previously identified in cats from Spain. Hepatozoon felis from cats in Angola (Oliveira et al 2018 ) also shared this and two other closely related haplotypes (47, 49 and 51, Figure 1 ).…”

“…Common companion animals such as dogs and cats play a key role in the epidemiology of various pathogens, acting as both reservoirs and sentinels. Surprisingly therefore, studies of feline vector-borne infections are less prevalent than those of canine vector-borne infections (Pereira et al 2019 ). This is despite the fact that cats often spend considerable time outdoors, in areas with high risk of exposure to ticks and other vectors (Persichetti et al 2018 ).…”

“…Until recently, almost all such parasites were referred as Hepatozoon felis ( H. felis ), although a new species was recently described from wildcats, Hepatozoon silvestris (Hodžić et al 2017 ). Pereira et al ( 2019 ) identified two unrelated genetic lineages within H. felis , only one of which was considered to occur in Africa. However, Harris et al ( 2019 ) reported that the situation is even more complex, with diverse lineages in domestic cats from South Africa, and that cats may also be infected by unrelated Hepatozoon via trophic interactions.…”

Distribution and principles of treatment of cats ehrlichiosis in the conditions of the metropolis of Kharkov

“…В острый период, кроме лихорадки и признаков интоксикации регистрируется лейкопения, тромбоцитопения, анемия, повышенные уровни аланинаминотрансферразы и креатинина (Limeira et al, 2019;Pusterla, Braun, Leutenegger, Reusch, & Lutz, 2000). Клинически у таких животных отмечается субиктеричность и иктеричность склер, на фоне лихорадки у таких животных часто диагностируют бабезиоз, кроме эрлихиоза, что требует дифференциальной диагностики (Hegarty et al, 2015;Malheiros et al, 2016;Pereira et al, 2019).…”

“…Отмечено рядом авторов, что касается диагностики заболевания, что только прямая микроскопия мазка периферической крови дает возможность выявить возбудителя на ранней стадии заболевания при поражении 4 % моноцитов (Nalubamba et al, 2015;Halac, 2016;Pereira et al, 2019;Qin et al, 2019;Peterson, 2000). Диагностика с помощью молекулярного анализа (секвенирование, полимеризация ДНК в ПЦР) позволила обнаружить 8 различных генов эрлихий и установить возможность диагностики эрлихиозов животных с использованием праймеров ДНК (Cardoso, Tuna, Vieira, Yisaschar-Mekuzas, & Baneth, 2010;Attipa et al, 2017…”