Abstract:
In Europe, Cytauxzoon spp. infection was documented in domestic and wild felids. Cats often develop a subclinical infection, while fatal disease is rare. Currently, information on the epidemiology, risk factors and clinicopathological findings of Cytauxzoon spp. infection remains limited and obtained by a single subject or small groups of cats. The objective of this case-control study was to evaluate clinicopathological findings and to describe risk factors associated with Cytauxzoon spp. infection in domestic cats. Infected cats (n = 39) and non-infected (n = 190) cats were selected from the database of the referral San Marco Veterinary Laboratory between 2008 and 2021. Demographic information, a preset questionnaire considering lifestyle, environment, and clinical status, and a CBC performed contextually with the PCR analysis were recorded for all cats. Data on the biochemical profile and serum protein electrophoresis were also evaluated when available. Compared to the control group, infection was more likely to occur in stray cats (24/39, 61.5%, P < 0.001), living totally/partially outdoors (36/39, 92.3%, P < 0.001), in an urban context (37/39, 94.9%, P = 0.002), taken or recently adopted from colonies (34/35, 97.1, P < 0.001), with irregular or absent parasite preventive treatments (39/39, 100%, p = 0.005), without fleas (28/35, 80%, P = 0.047) and without clinical signs (22/39, 56.4%, p = 0.026) at the time of medical evaluation. Anemia was not associated with infection, but in cats without clinical signs, the percentage of anemic-infected cats (7/22, 31.8%, P = 0.009) was higher compared to non-infected cats (5/65, 7.7%). Furthermore, a decrease in total iron serum concentration approximating the lowest reference interval [median values (IQR): 79 μg/dL (52.25) vs. 50.5 μg/dL (34), P = 0.007] was likely in infected cats. No other laboratory findings were associated with infection. Interestingly, a partial/total outdoor lifestyle was a risk factor for infection (OR: 8.58, 95% CI: 2.90-37.0, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the present study revealed that Cytauxzoon spp. infection manifests itself prevalently as a subclinical infection, based on physical examination and laboratory findings, in domestic European cats. However, subclinical infected cats were more likely to be anemic compared to non-infected.
摘要:
在欧洲,细胞毒菌属。在国内和野生猫科动物中记录了感染。猫经常发生亚临床感染,而致命的疾病是罕见的。目前,关于流行病学的信息,细胞生长素菌种的危险因素和临床病理发现。感染仍然是有限的,由单个受试者或一小组猫获得。这项病例对照研究的目的是评估临床病理结果并描述与Cytauxzoonspp相关的危险因素。家猫的感染。感染的猫(n=39)和未感染的猫(n=190)在2008年至2021年之间从转诊的圣马可兽医实验室的数据库中选择。人口统计信息,考虑生活方式的预设问卷,环境,和临床状况,记录所有猫的CBC与PCR分析。生化谱和血清蛋白电泳的数据也在可用时进行了评估。与对照组相比,感染更容易发生在流浪猫身上(24/39,61.5%,P<0.001),完全/部分生活在户外(36/39,92.3%,P<0.001),在城市背景下(37/39,94.9%,P=0.002),取自或最近从殖民地(34/35,97.1,P<0.001),不规则或无寄生虫预防性治疗(39/39,100%,p=0.005),没有跳蚤(28/35,80%,P=0.047)且无临床体征(22/39,56.4%,p=0.026)在医学评估时。贫血与感染无关,但是在没有临床症状的猫中,贫血感染猫的百分比(7/22,31.8%,P=0.009)与未感染的猫(5/65,7.7%)相比更高。此外,总铁血清浓度降低,接近最低参考区间[中位数(IQR):79μg/dL(52.25)vs.50.5μg/dL(34),P=0.007]可能在感染的猫中。没有其他实验室发现与感染相关。有趣的是,部分/全部户外生活方式是感染的危险因素(OR:8.58,95%CI:2.90-37.0,P<0.001).总之,本研究表明,细胞毒菌属。感染普遍表现为亚临床感染,根据体格检查和实验室检查结果,在国内的欧洲猫。然而,与未感染的猫相比,亚临床感染的猫更可能贫血。