LABOKLIN, Bad Kissingen, Germany.
Clinic for Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Apr;24(4):290-297. doi: 10.1177/1098612X211017459. Epub 2021 Jun 2.
is considered the most significant rickettsial pathogen affecting cats. The organism is transmitted by ticks of the species in Central Europe and can cause granulocytic anaplasmosis in pets, wildlife and humans. The aims of this study were to assess the frequency of positive test results for in cats in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as to evaluate clinical and laboratory findings in cats with positive PCR results.
This study included the results of direct (PCR) and indirect detection methods (immunofluorescence antibody tests [IFAT]) requested by veterinarians in Germany, Austria and Switzerland between 2008 and 2020 from the LABOKLIN laboratory (Bad Kissingen, Germany). The veterinarians treating the PCR-positive cats were contacted by telephone to enquire about their clinical signs, laboratory findings, management and outcomes.
In total, 244/1636 cats (15%) tested positive by direct (PCR: n = 27/725 [4%]) and/or indirect detection methods (IFAT: n = 221/956 [23%]). In 18/26 cats with PCR results positive for , additional information about clinical signs, laboratory findings, treatment and outcome was obtained. Of these 18 cats, five had comorbidities independent of their infection with . The most common clinical signs in PCR-positive cats (total/without comorbidities) were lethargy (83%/92%), fever (83%/85%) and thrombocytopenia (61%/62%). Overall, more than half (57%) of the cats with and without comorbidities recovered clinically.
Infections with should be considered as differential diagnoses in cats with tick infestation, lethargy, fever and thrombocytopenia. The clinical signs and laboratory findings are consistent with published case reports in cats. Ectoparasite prophylaxis in cats is recommended throughout the entire year.
被认为是影响猫的最重要的立克次体病原体。该病原体通过中欧的 种蜱传播，可导致宠物、野生动物和人类发生粒细胞性无形体病。本研究的目的是评估德国、奥地利和瑞士猫中 的阳性检测结果频率，并评估 PCR 结果阳性的猫的临床和实验室发现。
本研究包括 2008 年至 2020 年期间，德国、奥地利和瑞士的兽医通过 LABOKLIN 实验室（德国巴特基辛根）请求的直接（PCR）和间接检测方法（免疫荧光抗体试验 [IFA]）的结果。通过电话联系治疗 PCR 阳性猫的兽医，询问其临床症状、实验室发现、管理和结果。
总共，244/1636 只猫（15%）通过直接（PCR：n=27/725 [4%]）和/或间接检测方法（IFA：n=221/956 [23%]）检测呈阳性。在 26 只 PCR 结果阳性的猫中，有 18 只获得了关于临床症状、实验室发现、治疗和结果的额外信息。这 18 只猫中有 5 只有与感染无关的合并症。PCR 阳性猫（全部/无合并症）最常见的临床症状是嗜睡（83%/92%）、发热（83%/85%）和血小板减少症（61%/62%）。总体而言，超过一半（57%）有或无合并症的猫临床恢复。
在有蜱虫感染、嗜睡、发热和血小板减少症的猫中，应考虑 感染作为鉴别诊断。临床症状和实验室发现与已发表的猫病例报告一致。建议全年对猫进行寄生虫预防。
