Species of Domestic Cats: Molecular Characterization Has Opened Pandora's Box.

Abstract

This is the first comprehensive review of the literature pertaining tospecies reported from domestic cats. Description of the four species (, and) named based on morphology and/or host specificity is documented. Feline babesiosis is of major veterinary concern only in South Africa. Reports of the rare occurrence of feline babesiosis cases in Europe (France, Germany, Poland, and Spain) and Asia (Israel, India, and Pakistan) are documented. Molecular characterization has revealed that cats can harbor a variety ofspecies. The previous practice of referring to all piroplasms, especially small ones, seen on feline blood smears asis therefore no longer tenable. The near-full-length 18S rRNA gene sequences entered into GenBank in 2001 (accession no. AF244912) are designated as definitive forsensu stricto. All published literature relating to molecular characterization of felinespecies that could be traced was critically assessed. Fourspecies are now known to be involved in causing feline babesiosis in South Africa: the closely relateds.s. and(clade I),(clade II), andspecies cat Western Cape (clade VI,s.s.). Clade VI also includesandreported from cats in Asia. Six otherspecies have been reported from domestic cats: the dog-associateds.s.,, and, as well as, and. Phylogenetic relationships of all named species were assessed and are presented as trees. The relatively high prevalence ofin clinically healthy cats (16% in Brazil, 13% on St Kitts, and 8.1% in Portugal) suggests that immunocompetent cats can harbor the infection with no discernible untoward effects. Reports of occurrence ofand otherspecies in domestic cats should be accepted only if they are supported by credible molecular provenance.