Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8497584 | Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | 2015 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
Prevalence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia, and Wolbachia DNA in blood of 479 cats collected in different veterinary clinics in Southern Germany was determined using a previously published conventional PCR using 16S-23S intergenic spacer primers (5â² CTG GGG ACT ACG GTC GCA AGA C 3â² - forward; 5â² CTC CAG TTT ATC ACT GGA AGT T 3â² - reverse). Purified amplicons were sequenced to confirm genus and species. Associations between rickettsial infections, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), as well as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) status were evaluated. Rickettsial prevalence was 0.4% (2/479; CI: 0.01-1.62%). In the two infected cats, Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was amplified. These cats came from different environment and had outdoor access. Both were ill with many of their problems likely related to other diseases. However, one cat had neutrophilia with left shift and the other thrombocytopenia potentially caused by their A. phagocytophilum infection. There was no significant difference in the FIV and FeLV status between A. phagocytophilum-negative and -positive cats. A. phagocytophilum can cause infection in cats in Southern Germany, and appropriate tick control is recommended.
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Authors
Michèle Bergmann, Theresa Englert, Bianca Stuetzer, Jennifer R. Hawley, Michael R. Lappin, Katrin Hartmann,