Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat survival linked to parasite gene in cytauxzoonosis treatment
By Schreeg, Megan E et al.·Published in Journal of clinical microbiology·2013·North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pharmacogenomics of Cytauxzoon felis cytochrome b: implications for atovaquone and azithromycin therapy in domestic cats with cytauxzoonosis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A domestic cat infected with a dangerous parasite called Cytauxzoon felis was treated with a combination of two medications, atovaquone and azithromycin. Researchers studied the genetic makeup of the parasite in these cats and discovered a specific gene variant that was linked to better survival rates in those receiving the treatment. This finding suggests that understanding the genetics of the parasite can help veterinarians predict which cats are more likely to respond well to this therapy.
People also search for: cat Cytauxzoon felis treatment · atovaquone for cats · azithromycin for cat parasites
Abstract
Cytauxzoon felis, an emerging virulent protozoan parasite that infects domestic cats, is treated with atovaquone and azithromycin (A&A). Atovaquone targets parasite cytochrome b. We characterized the C. felis cytochrome b gene (cytb) in cats with cytauxzoonosis and found a cytb genotype that was associated with survival in A&A-treated cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23784135/