Abstract

RIOS-USUGA, C. et al. Vector-borne diseases in cats: a molecular look at urban environments in Medellin, Colombia. Rev. Med. Vet. Zoot. [online]. 2023, vol.70, n.2, pp.220-233.  Epub Apr 16, 2024. ISSN 0120-2952.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rfmvz.v70n2.105407.

Hemotropic microorganisms in felines are infectious agents that vary from nematodes, protozoa, and bacteria. The objective of this retrospective study is to evaluate the frequency of hemotropic agents by means of qPCR from the databases of 1,418 felines in the city of Medellín between July 2021 and March 2022, where a frequency of 70% is evidenced, with several infected animals, with one, two, or three agents of 56%, 14%, and 2.3%, respectively. With a frequency for each of the agents of: Rickettsia spp. 0.21%, Babesia spp. 0.35%, Ehrlichia spp. 0.49%, Dirolifaria spp. 0.64%, Anaplasma spp. 0.7%, Hepatozoon spp. 5.4%, Mycoplasma spp. 24.4%, and Bartonella spp. 37.9% The evidenced coinfections of two hemotropic agents is: Bartonella spp. and Mycoplasma spp. 7.9%, Bartonella spp. and Hepatozoon spp. 2.1%, Mycoplasma spp. and Hepatozoon spp. 2% and Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. 0.5%. Of the 15 blood counts from infected cats, 11 of them had blood counts without significant changes. Two of the positive cats show moderate and severe anemia, and reticulocytes of 0.9% and 0.4%, respectively. Only one individual positive for Mycoplasma spp. presented thrombocytopenia, and three platelets in lower limits. It is concluded that PCR is the most reliable test for the diagnosis of hemotropic agents.

Keywords : PCR, Bartonella spp; Mycoplasma spp; Hepatozoon spp; Ehrlichia spp; Babesia spp; Anaplasma spp; Dirofilaria spp.

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