Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
First case of Hepatozoon silvestris infection in a New York cat
By Smith, Rachel C et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2025·Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: First report of Hepatozoon silvestris in a domestic cat (Felis catus) from New York.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A domestic cat from New York was diagnosed with a rare parasite called Hepatozoon silvestris, which is typically found in wild cats. This parasite can be transmitted through blood-feeding insects and can cause health issues in infected cats. While the specific symptoms of this cat were not detailed, Hepatozoon infections can lead to various health problems. The case emphasizes the need for veterinarians to be aware of this parasite in domestic cats, especially as it has been more commonly reported in wild felids.
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Abstract
Hepatozoon spp. are apicomplexan parasites that infect a wide variety of animals including felids, with cats serving as the intermediate host and blood-feeding arthropods serving as the definitive hosts. Although three distinct Hepatozoon spp. have been described infecting domestic cats, little is known about the transmission and pathogenicity of feline Hepatozoonosis. Within the United States, numerous reports describe Hepatozoon spp. in wild felids, however, there are only a few reports of Hepatozoon spp. infection in domestic cats. Here, we describe the case of a domestic cat from New York, USA, infected with Hepatozoon silvestris and confirmed by molecular analysis. This report highlights the importance of considering this parasite in veterinary clinical practices and epidemiological studies in domestic cat populations in the country. Hepatozoon silvestris has been previously reported in felids in Central and Eastern Europe. Considering this case and other recent reports of Hepatozoon spp. in wild felids in the USA, it is likely that there are Hepatozoon spp. infecting both wild and domestic felids in the USA which are currently underrecognized.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40398987/