Molecular detection of species infections in domestic cats living in Germany.

OBJECTIVES

Three species of protozoal species (, and ) are known to infect cats in Europe. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of species in samples from cats living in Germany that were submitted to a veterinary laboratory.

METHODS

The study included cats tested for species by PCR between 2007 and 2020 by the Laboklin laboratory. Travel history and haematological results were documented for cats with positive test results. From 2018 onwards, a partial 18S rRNA gene fragment was sequenced from cats with positive PCR results.

RESULTS

Sixty-four of 931 cats (7%) tested positive for species. Sex and age did not have a statistically significant impact. Sequencing was carried out for 16 samples and revealed in all cases. All cats with positive test results and a relevant travel history had been imported from the Mediterranean or south-eastern Europe. There were no autochthonous infections with species. Leukocytosis, haemoconcentration and anaemia were the most common haematological abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Although infections with species in cats are usually subclinical, it may be useful to screen cats imported from the Mediterranean and south-eastern Europe for these pathogens to prevent local transmission cycles. There was no evidence of autochthonous infections in Germany; however, further investigations regarding a possible transmission of species from infected cats to blood-feeding arthropods in Germany may be of interest. To avoid potential spread of the pathogens, ectoparasite prophylaxis is advisable.