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Carbonara M, Iatta R, Sgroi G, Papadopoulos E, Lima C, Bouhsira E, Miró G, Nachum-Biala Y, Baneth G, Otranto D. Hepatozoon species infecting domestic cats from countries of the Mediterranean basin. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102192. [PMID: 37201249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are caused by pathogens of human and veterinary concern representing a major public health issue worldwide. Although feline medicine has progressed much in the recent decades, data on feline TBDs (FeTBDs) remain scant. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of apicomplexan parasite infections, associated risk factors and clinical-hematological abnormalities in domestic feline populations from countries of the Mediterranean basin. Blood and serum samples from cats (n = 600) living in France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal and Spain were collected along with animal data (i.e., age, sex, breed, housing conditions and geographical origin), clinical signs and laboratory blood test parameters. Cats were grouped according to their age as kitten (up to one year), young (between one and six years), mature (between seven and ten years) and senior (older than ten years). Blood samples were tested for Hepatozoon spp. and piroplasmids by conventional PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene. The overall prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. infection was 14.5%, being significantly higher in cats from Greece (30%) and Portugal (23%), followed by Spain (15%), Israel (15%) and France (4%). Cats from Italy scored negative. Hepatozoon felis was identified in 86 animals, with three different sequence types and H. silvestris was detected in one shelter cat from Portugal. No piroplasmid DNA was amplified. The risk of Hepatozoon spp. infection was related to feline geographical provenience, housing condition and age. No statistical correlation was reported with any clinical signs, while increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was the only laboratory abnormality significantly associated (p = 0.03) with the infection. Data suggest a high circulation of H. felis, and only occasionally of H. silvestris, within domestic feline populations in the Mediterranean basin, mainly in shelter or free roaming and young cats with asymptomatic or subclinical infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariaelisa Carbonara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Bari 70010, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Bari 70010, Italy
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Clara Lima
- Department of Biological Sciences, Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Emilie Bouhsira
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, InTheres, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Gad Baneth
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Bari 70010, Italy; Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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Hodžić A, Alić A. Hepatozoon silvestris: an emerging feline vector-borne pathogen in Europe? Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:163-166. [PMID: 36549925 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatozoon silvestris (Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) is a recently described agent of feline hepatozoonosis. Although possibly emerging in Europe, this apicomplexan parasite is still largely unknown. Here, we provide insight into our current knowledge of the parasite's distribution, biology, and pathogenesis of the associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Hodžić
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CMESS), Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Division of Microbial Ecology (DoME), University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Amer Alić
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Simonato G, Franco V, Salvatore G, Manzocchi S, Dotto G, Morelli S, Grillini M, Cavicchioli L, Gelain ME, Zini E. First autochthonous clinical case of Hepatozoon silvestris in a domestic cat in Italy with unusual presentation. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:440. [PMID: 36419134 PMCID: PMC9685847 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05534-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatozoon spp. is the causative agent of a vector-borne parasitic disease in many animal species. In felids, Hepatozoon felis, Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon silvestris have been molecularly isolated. Hepatozoonosis usually causes asymptomatic infections in domestic cats, but clinical cases have recently been reported in Europe. We describe the first Italian case of hepatozoonosis in a cat with an unusual presentation. An 11-year-old neutered European shorthair cat was urgently hospitalized for intestinal intussusception. Hematology, biochemistry, FIV-FeLV tests, blood smears and molecular investigation targeting the 18S rRNA gene of Hepatozoon spp. were performed on blood samples; in addition, histological and molecular investigations were performed to analyze surgical samples to identify Hepatozoon infection. Hepatozoon gamonts were detected in granulocytes in the blood smear, and Hepatozoon spp. DNA was confirmed by PCR on blood. The intussusception was caused by a sessile endoluminal nodule that was surgically removed. Histologically, many elements referring to parasitic tissue forms were identified in the intestinal cells, and then the specimens were molecularly confirmed to harbor H. silvestris. This is the first description of symptomatic hepatozoonosis in a domestic cat in Italy. Hepatozoon silvestris has been described in wild felids, which are usually resilient to the infection, whereas the domestic cat seems to be more susceptible. Indeed, H. silvestris in cats usually presents tropism for skeletal muscle and myocardium with subsequent clinical manifestations. This is the first description of a domestic cat with H. silvestris localized in the intestinal epithelium and associated with intussusception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Simonato
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale Dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova Italy
| | - Vittoria Franco
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo Con Monticello, Novara Italy
| | - Giovanna Salvatore
- AniCura Istituto Veterinario Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo Con Monticello, Novara Italy
| | - Simone Manzocchi
- IDEXX Laboratories, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo Con Monticello, Novara Italy
| | - Giorgia Dotto
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale Dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova Italy
| | - Simone Morelli
- grid.17083.3d0000 0001 2202 794XFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Marika Grillini
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale Dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova Italy
| | - Laura Cavicchioli
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale Dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova Italy
| | - Maria Elena Gelain
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale Dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova Italy
| | - Eric Zini
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale Dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova Italy ,AniCura Istituto Veterinario Novara, Strada Provinciale 9, 28060 Granozzo Con Monticello, Novara Italy ,grid.7400.30000 0004 1937 0650Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Grillini M, Simonato G, Tessarin C, Dotto G, Traversa D, Cassini R, Marchiori E, Frangipane di Regalbono A. Cytauxzoon sp. and Hepatozoon spp. in Domestic Cats: A Preliminary Study in North-Eastern Italy. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091214. [PMID: 34578245 PMCID: PMC8468074 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge on the presence of Cytauxzoon sp. and Hepatozoon spp. in Italy is scant and mostly limited to a few areas of Northern and Southern regions, respectively. The present study updated the current epidemiological scenario by investigating the occurrence of these protozoa in domestic cats from three broad regions of North-Eastern Italy. Blood samples from cats at risk of vector-borne diseases were processed by PCR to detect Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon DNA. Blood smears were observed for haemoparasite inclusions. The influence of cat individual data (e.g., provenance, management, indoor/outdoor lifestyle) on the prevalence of haemoprotozoan infections was statistically evaluated. Among 158 cats, Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon DNA were detected in 6 (3.8%) and 26 (16.5%) animals, respectively. No Hepatozoon gamonts were detected in blood smears, whereas all Cytauxzoon PCR-positive samples were microscopically positive, though with low levels of parasitaemia. Two species of Hepatozoon were identified, Hepatozoon felis (n = 10) and Hepatozoon silvestris (n = 16). Hepatozoon silvestris prevalence values were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the region Friuli Venezia Giulia and in stray cats. Cytauxzoon sp. was detected in 6/39 (15.4%) stray cats from Friuli Venezia Giulia (Trieste province). These data add new information on the occurrence of these neglected protozoa in domestic cats' populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Grillini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (G.S.); (C.T.); (G.D.); (R.C.); (E.M.); (A.F.d.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giulia Simonato
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (G.S.); (C.T.); (G.D.); (R.C.); (E.M.); (A.F.d.R.)
| | - Cinzia Tessarin
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (G.S.); (C.T.); (G.D.); (R.C.); (E.M.); (A.F.d.R.)
| | - Giorgia Dotto
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (G.S.); (C.T.); (G.D.); (R.C.); (E.M.); (A.F.d.R.)
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Rudi Cassini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (G.S.); (C.T.); (G.D.); (R.C.); (E.M.); (A.F.d.R.)
| | - Erica Marchiori
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (G.S.); (C.T.); (G.D.); (R.C.); (E.M.); (A.F.d.R.)
| | - Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (G.S.); (C.T.); (G.D.); (R.C.); (E.M.); (A.F.d.R.)
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Kegler K, Nufer U, Alic A, Posthaus H, Olias P, Basso W. Fatal infection with emerging apicomplexan parasite Hepatozoon silvestris in a domestic cat. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:428. [PMID: 30029688 PMCID: PMC6053781 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2992-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatozoon silvestris is an emerging apicomplexan parasite discovered in European wild cats from Bosnia and Herzegovina and blood samples of a domestic cat from Southern Italy in 2017. It has also been identified in Ixodes ricinus collected from a domestic cat in Wales, UK, in 2018. The clinical relevance, pathogenesis and epidemiology of this novel Hepatozoon species are not yet understood. Thus, the objective of this paper was to report and describe the first fatal case of an H. silvestris infection in a domestic cat. RESULTS The cat, which originated from Switzerland, died shortly after presenting clinical signs of lethargy, weakness and anorexia. At necropsy, no specific lesions were observed. Histopathology of the heart revealed a severe lympho-plasmacytic and histiocytic myocarditis. Mature and developing protozoal meronts morphologically compatible with Hepatozoon species were observed associated with the myocardial inflammation. No other lesions were present in any other organ evaluated, and the cat tested negative for retroviral and other immunosuppressive infectious agents. Polymerase chain reaction from the myocardium resulted in a specific amplicon of the Hepatozoon 18S rRNA gene. Sequencing and BLAST analysis revealed 100% sequence identity with H. silvestris. CONCLUSIONS The severity of the infection with fatal outcome in an otherwise healthy animal suggests a high virulence of H. silvestris for domestic cats. The presence of this emerging parasite in a domestic cat in Switzerland with no travel history provides further evidence for a geographical distribution throughout Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristel Kegler
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ursina Nufer
- Private Veterinary Clinic Dr. Usina Nufer, Meiringen, Switzerland
| | - Amer Alic
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Horst Posthaus
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Olias
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Duplan F, Davies S, Filler S, Abdullah S, Keyte S, Newbury H, Helps CR, Wall R, Tasker S. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., haemoplasma species and Hepatozoon spp. in ticks infesting cats: a large-scale survey. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:201. [PMID: 29558992 PMCID: PMC5861659 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2789-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks derived from cats have rarely been evaluated for the presence of pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., haemoplasma species and Hepatozoon spp. in ticks collected from cats in the UK. Methods Five hundred and forty DNA samples extracted from 540 ticks collected from cats presenting to veterinarians in UK practices were used. Samples underwent a conventional generic PCR assay for detection of Hepatozoon spp. and real-time quantitative PCR assays for detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and three feline haemoplasma species and a generic qPCR for detection of Bartonella spp. Feline 28S rDNA served as an endogenous internal PCR control and was assessed within the haemoplasma qPCR assays. Samples positive on the conventional and quantitative generic PCRs were submitted for DNA sequencing for species identification. Results Feline 28S rDNA was amplified from 475 of the 540 (88.0%) ticks. No evidence of PCR inhibition was found using an internal amplification control. Of 540 ticks, 19 (3.5%) contained DNA from one of the tick-borne pathogens evaluated. Pathogens detected were: A. phagocytophilum (n = 5; 0.9%), Bartonella spp. (n = 7; 1.3%) [including Bartonella henselae (n = 3; 0.6%) and Bartonella clarridgeiae (n = 1; 0.2%)], haemoplasma species (n = 5; 0.9%), “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” (n = 3; 0.6%), Mycoplasma haemofelis (n = 1; 0.2%), “Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis” (n = 1; 0.2%), Hepatozoon spp. (n = 2; 0.4%), Hepatozoon felis (n = 1; 0.2%) and Hepatozoon silvestris (n = 1; 0.2%). Conclusion These data provide important information on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks infesting cats, with the identification of haemoplasma species, A. phagocytophilum, H. felis and Bartonella spp. (including B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae). This study also documents the first report of H. silvestris in ticks collected from domestic cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Duplan
- Small Animal Hospital, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Langford, United Kingdom
| | - Saran Davies
- Veterinary Parasitology and Ecology Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Serina Filler
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, United Kingdom
| | - Swaid Abdullah
- Veterinary Parasitology and Ecology Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Keyte
- Small Animal Hospital, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Langford, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Newbury
- MSD Animal Health, Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Chris R Helps
- Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Diagnostic Laboratories, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Langford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Wall
- Veterinary Parasitology and Ecology Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Séverine Tasker
- Small Animal Hospital, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Langford, United Kingdom. .,Molecular Diagnostic Unit, Diagnostic Laboratories, Langford Vets, University of Bristol, Langford, United Kingdom.
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