Cytauxzoonosis

The cytauxzoonosis is an infectious disease of cats , by Cytauxzoon felis is caused. The name of the disease is derived from the name of the pathogen; it is not a zoonosis , but a specific cat disease. The cytaux zoonosis occurs exclusively in the central and eastern southern states of the USA. Bobcat serves as a reservoir for pathogens and is transmitted by the American dog tick ( Dermatocentor variabilis ).

The incubation period is 5 to 20 days. After infection, asexual pathogens multiply ( schizogony ) in the mononuclear cells with the formation of schizonts and macroschizonts. The merozoites released from the macrophages penetrate the red blood cells ( erythrocytes ), destroy them and lead to hemolytic anemia . As a result of the mononuclear infiltrates, the blood flow to the body tissues is additionally impaired.

Clinically, the cytauxzoonosis manifests itself in unspecific symptoms such as fever , unwillingness to eat, shortness of breath , fatigue, jaundice and pale mucous membranes . The blood count shows regenerative anemia and neutrophilia . For diagnosis, the diagnosis can be made by examining a blood smear through the detection of merozoites in the red blood cells. Infected macrophages can be detected in biopsies from the liver , spleen , bone marrow or lymph nodes . Direct pathogen detection using the polymerase chain reaction is also possible. In terms of differential diagnosis, feline infectious anemia and feline babesiosis in particular must be excluded.

Diminazen can be used for treatment . Supportive measures such as blood transfusions and infusions are also indicated. The disease can be prevented through consistent protection against ticks.

literature

• Michael R. Lappin: Cytauxzoonosis. In: Richard W. Nelson, C. Guillermo Couto (Eds.): Small Animal Internal Medicine. 3rd edition. Mosby, St. Louis MO 2003, ISBN 0-323-01724-X , pp. 1301-1302.