Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

First report of Hepatozoon felis infection in a domestic cat (Felis catus) in Iran

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

Bijan Esmaeilnejad 1
Awat Samiei 1
Zahra Darabizade 2
Mohsen Akhoondi 2
Romina Salavati 2
Bahar Ahooghalandari 2
Vahid Fathipour 3
Arash Akhavan 2
Armin Fakheri 1

1 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Private Veterinary Practitioner, Tehran, Iran

3 Private Veterinary Clinical Pathologist, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2023.2005996.3928
Abstract
A 6-year-old male domestic short-haired cat (Felis catus) was presented with weakness, anorexia, fever, icterus, a painful abdomen, ruffled hair and a tick infestation, and it had no prior surgery. Laboratory analysis revealed left-shifted neutrophils, thrombocytopenia, low albumin content and high serum bilirubin concentration as well as activities of hepatic enzymes including alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Azotemia and increased serum levels of creatinine and urea were also recorded. In Giemsa-stained blood smear, Hepatozoon gamonts were observed within neutrophils. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction assay was used to amplify an approximately 590 bp fragment of 18S rRNA gene and confirmed Hepatozoon felis infection. The cat was treated with imidocarb dipropionate and doxycycline and recovered completely. Six-month follow-up showed no recurrence. This study reveals the presence of H. felis in Iran and it should be considered in differential diagnosis in febrile and icteric cats. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of H. felis infection in a cat in Iran.

Keywords

Cat
Hepatozoon felis
Iran

Subjects

  1. Baneth G, Sheiner A, Eyal O, et al. Redescription of Hepatozoon felis (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) based on phylogenetic analysis, tissue and blood form morphology, and possible transplacental transmission. Parasit Vectors 2013; 6: 102. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-102.
  2. Basso W, Görner D, Globokar M, et al. First auto-chthonous case of clinical Hepatozoon felis infection in a domestic cat in Central Europe. Parasitol Int 2019; 72: 101945. doi: 10.1016/j.parint. 2019.101945.
  3. Smith TG. The genus Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Adeleina). J Parasitol 1996; 82(4): 565-585.
  4. van Amstel S. Hepatozoonosis in a cat [Afrikaans]. J S Afr Vet Med Assoc 1979; 50: 215-216.
  5. Soltani R, Dalimi A. A molecular study on Hepatozoon canis infection in dogs in Tehran (Iran). Arch Razi Inst 2018; 73(4): 257-263.
  6. Barati A, Razmi GR. A parasitologic and molecular survey of Hepatozoon canis infection in stray dogs in Northeastern Iran. J Parasitol 2018; 104(4): 413-417.
  7. Khoshnegah J, Mohri M, Movassaghi AR, et al. The first report of Hepatozoon canis infection of a dog in Iran. Comp Clin Path 2009; 18(4): 455-458.
  8. Khoshnegah J, Mohri M, Mirshahi A, et al. Detection of Hepatozoon in a Persian leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica). J Wildl Dis 2012; 48(3): 776-780.
  9. Pereira C, Maia JP, Marcos R, et al. Molecular detection of Hepatozoon felis in cats from Maio Island, Republic of Cape Verde and global distribution of feline hepatozoonosis. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12(1): 294. doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3551-3.
  10. Willard MD, Tvedten H. Small animal clinical diagnosis by laboratory methods. 4th Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Health Sciences 2004; 400-402.
  11. Mundim AV, de Morais IA, Tavares M, et al. Clinical and hematological signs associated with dogs naturally infected by Hepatozoon and with other hematozoa: a retrospective study in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2008; 153(1-2): 3-8.
  12. Schäfer I, Kohn B, Nijhof AM, et al. Molecular detection of Hepatozoon species infections in domestic cats living in Germany. J Feline Med Surg 2022; 24(10): 994-1000.
  13. Baneth G. Perspectives on canine and feline hepato-zoonosis. Vet Parasitol 2011; 181(1): 3-11.
  14. Roopali B, Mahadappa P, Satheesha SP, et al. Acute hepatozoonosis in dogs: a case report. J Parasit Dis 2017; 41(3): 747-749.
  15. Assawarachan SN, Maneesaay P, Thengchaisri N. A descriptive study of the histopathologic and bio- chemical liver test abnormalities in dogs with liver disease in Can J VetRes2020; 84(3): 217-224.
  16. Baneth G, Aroch I, Tal N, et al. Hepatozoon species infection in domestic cats: a retrospective study. Vet Parasitol 1998; 79(2): 123-133.
  17. Lloret A, Addie DD, Boucraut-Baralon C, et al. Hepatozoonosis in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management. J Feline Med Surg 2015; 17(7): 642-644.
Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 15, Issue 4
April 2024
Pages 211-214

  • Receive Date 10 July 2023
  • Revise Date 15 October 2023
  • Accept Date 05 November 2023

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us