Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fever and lethargy in outdoor cats linked to Anaplasma infection
By Lappin, Michael R et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2004·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Molecular and serologic evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in cats in North America.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Five outdoor cats from Massachusetts and Connecticut were found to be sick with symptoms like fever, loss of appetite, and lethargy due to an infection called Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This infection was confirmed through blood tests, and three of the cats had ticks on them. After being treated with antibiotics like doxycycline or tetracycline, all the cats quickly recovered from their symptoms. This is the first time this type of infection has been reported in domestic cats in North America, indicating that it can cause illness in some cats.
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Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was detected in blood of clinically ill cats from Massachusetts (n = 4) and Connecticut (1) by use of polymerase chain reaction assay and DNA sequencing. All 5 cats were allowed outdoors, and Ixodes scapularis were found on 3 cats. Clinical signs of fever, anorexia, and lethargy resolved quickly after treatment with doxycycline or tetracycline. Serum samples from each cat reacted with A. phagocytophilum morulae via an indirect fluorescent antibody assay; positive antibody titers persisted even after 21 to 30 days of treatment with tetracycline. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of A. phagocytophilum infection of domestic cats in North America. Results suggest that infection with the organism may be associated with clinical illness in some cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15485049/