Molecular survey of Cytauxzoon spp. and Hepatozoon spp. in felids using a novel real-time PCR approach

Tick-transmitted apicomplexans of the genera and affect a wide range of felids worldwide, but little is known about them. Recently, several studies addressed the species circulating in Europe, their distribution, and their hosts. Molecular assays are the method of choice for their detection. Unfortu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in veterinary science 2023-06, Vol.10, p.1113681-1113681
Main Authors: Grillini, Marika, Beraldo, Paola, Frangipane di Regalbono, Antonio, Dotto, Giorgia, Tessarin, Cinzia, Franzo, Giovanni, Marchiori, Erica, Modrý, David, Simonato, Giulia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
cat
Cytauxzoon
exotic felids
Hepatozoon
real-time PCR
Veterinary Science
wildcat
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Tick-transmitted apicomplexans of the genera and affect a wide range of felids worldwide, but little is known about them. Recently, several studies addressed the species circulating in Europe, their distribution, and their hosts. Molecular assays are the method of choice for their detection. Unfortunately, conventional PCRs already described are time- and cost-consuming and specific for either or detection. This study was developed to evaluate (i) the occurrence of and in felids using a fast and cost-saving real-time PCR capable of detecting both protozoa simultaneously, (ii) the distribution of and species in north-eastern Italy, and (iii) the involvement of other susceptible felid hosts in the same area. An SYBR Green-based real-time PCR with primers targeting the 18S-rRNA was validated and applied to 237 felid samples, i.e., whole blood from 206 domestic cats and 12 captive exotic felids, and tissues from 19 wildcats. Positive results were obtained by melting temperature curve analysis due to the specific melting peak (i.e., 81°C spp.; 78-78.5°C spp.). Positive samples were subjected to conventional PCR, followed by sequencing for species identification. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to assess relatedness among European isolates. Data on domestic cats (age class, sex, origin, management, and lifestyle) were recorded, and statistical analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors. A total of 31 (15%) domestic cats were positive for spp. (i.e., 12 for 19 for ), while six (2.9%) for . The prevalence of was significantly (  
ISSN:2297-1769
2297-1769
DOI:10.3389/fvets.2023.1113681