Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
PCR test to detect deadly Cytauxzoon felis infection in cats
By Birkenheuer, Adam J et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2006·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Development and evaluation of a PCR assay for the detection of Cytauxzoon felis DNA in feline blood samples.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with a serious illness caused by a tick-borne parasite called Cytauxzoon felis was studied to improve how we diagnose this disease. Currently, diagnosing Cytauxzoonosis can be difficult since there are no commercial tests available, and it is often fatal in infected cats. Researchers developed a new test that can quickly detect the DNA of the parasite in a cat's blood, making it easier for veterinarians to identify the infection early. This new test could help save lives by allowing for faster treatment and better understanding of how the disease spreads.
People also search for: cat Cytauxzoonosis symptoms · tick-borne disease in cats · how to test for Cytauxzoon felis
Abstract
Cytauxzoonosis is an emerging tick borne infectious disease of domestic cats in the United States, caused by the organism Cytauxzoon felis (C. felis). In naturally infected domestic cats the disease is almost always fatal. Currently there are no commercially available molecular or serologic tests to facilitate the antemortem diagnosis of C. felis infection. Clinical and pathological diagnosis of cytauxzoonosis is based on microscopic identification of parasites in tissues or on blood smears. We have developed and evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay for the diagnosis of C. felis infections in feline blood samples. The assay is sensitive enough to detect one copy of a cloned fragment of the C. felis 18S rRNA gene. This PCR assay can be used for the rapid clinical diagnosis of cytauxzoonosis and for epidemiological studies that will better define the geographic distribution of C. felis infection in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16417970/