Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Anaplasma infection found in 16% of cats in Bavaria and Lower Saxony
By Hamel, Dietmar et al.·Published in Berliner und Munchener tierarztliche Wochenschrift·2012·Institute for Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Seroprevalence and bacteremia [corrected] of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in cats from Bavaria and Lower Saxony (Germany).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that a small number of cats in Germany tested positive for a tick-borne bacterium called Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which can cause illness. Out of 306 blood samples from cats, only one showed signs of the bacteria, while 53 cats had antibodies indicating they had been exposed to it. This suggests that many cats may have been infected at some point, even if they didn't show symptoms. It's important for cat owners to be aware of tick prevention, as this bacterium can lead to health issues.
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Abstract
Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum is a tick-transmitted obligate intracellular bacterium and has been identified in a wide range of mammalian species, causing febrile disease in some. Few reports show that it can also cause granulocytic anaplasmosis in cats. As data on the occurrence of A. phagocytophilum in cats from Germany is limited, a total of 326 serum and 306 EDTA-blood samples from cats from Germany were screened by direct (Giemsa-stained blood/buffy coat smears, real-time PCR) and indirect (IFAT) methods. Of 274 Giemsa-stained blood smears which could be evaluated none was positive for morulae, but one blood sample (< or =0.1%; 1/306) was positive for A. < or = phagocytophilum-DNA in PCR. Antibodies (cutoff > or = 1:64) were detected in 53 out of 326 samples (16.2%). Altogether, the results show a high seroprevalence rate of anti-A. phagocytophilum antibodies in cats in Germany while the low detection rate of this bacterial agent by direct methods is similar to those of other studies on A. phagocytophilum infections in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22515036/