Serum amyloid A concentration in naturally infected cats with Hepatozoon felis alone or coinfected with other pathogens.

Abstract

Feline hepatozoonosis, caused by Hepatozoon felis and occasionally other Hepatozoon species, is a vector-borne disease transmitted through the ingestion of infected arthropods, primarily ticks. This study investigates serum amyloid A, a major acute-phase protein, in cats naturally infected with H. felis or co-infected with other vector-borne pathogens. A total of 41 asymptomatic, infected cats were categorized into single or co-infection groups, alongside 12 healthy controls. Serum amyloid A levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed statistically. Results showed no significant association between serum amyloid A concentrations and variables such as co-infection status or pathogen load. Although levels of this acute phase protein were slightly lower in co-infected cats, findings suggest that serum amyloid A alone may have limited diagnostic utility in distinguishing these co-infections.