Polymerase chain reaction detection of Cytauxzoon felis from field-collected ticks and sequence analysis of the small subunit and internal transcribed spacer 1 region of the ribosomal RNA gene.
P J Bondy Jr, L A Cohn, J W Tyler, A E Marsh
Cytauxzoon felis produces a disease in domestic cats in the Midwest (U.S.A.), which often leads to a fatal outcome. Although the clinical disease process is well described, there are still many unanswered questions about this organism. For example, it is unknown whether species of ticks other than Dermacentor variabilis can serve as vectors for transmission.
With recent reports of surviving cats from limited geographic areas, another relevant question is the potential for genetically less virulent organism strains.
This study evaluated 352 individual or pooled tick samples (1,362 total ticks) for the presence of C. felis small subunit ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) region genes using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
These ticks were collected from dogs and cats in several Missouri counties, including 10 from cats diagnosed with cytauxzoonosis.
Only 3 positive C. felis samples were identified in Amblyomma americanum nymphs, and there was very limited genetic variation noted in both genes. The small number of positive samples did not allow the study to determine which PCR analysis was more sensitive.
This is the first known report of ITS-1 gene identification and sequencing for C. felis. It is also the first published investigation of genetic variation in C. felis.
My question is, "Is this parasite only restricted to domestic cats, bobcats and panthers etc or can it be transmitted to humans as well?"
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Thanks for that link Bea.
What disturbs me about this...is that I KNOW many wildcats have been trapped and relocated to other states that had a decline in populations.
So, whether intended or not, once again, humans are the cause of this particular disease spreading.
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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hshbmom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9478
posted
Hi Bea, I didn't see your post. Was it here on LymeNet?
Posts: 1672 | From AL/WV/OH | Registered: Jun 2006
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I posted that link on one of the recent LymeNet threads about the Fry lab and the controversy over hemobartonella/mycoplasma versus bartonella results.
Actually someone here on LymeNet about a year or so ago had a cat from Florida I think that died from this tick-borne infection.
I did find a company that offers a herbal remedy for cytauxzoonosis -- have never gotten around to writing for more info. Am curious as to what herbs are in the formula. Might be another option for Babesia treatment.
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