Experimental infection of domestic cats ( Felis domesticus) with Cytauxzoon manul from Pallas’ cats ( Otocolobus manul)

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology Vol. 146; no. 3; pp. 302 - 306
• Main Authors: Joyner, P.H., Reichard, M.V., Meinkoth, J.H., Milne, V.E., Confer, A.W., Kocan, A.A., Hoover, J.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 31.05.2007
• Subjects: Animals; Cat Diseases - parasitology; Cat Diseases - transmission; Cats; cross immunity; Cytauxzoon; Cytauxzoon felis; Cytauxzoon manul; cytauxzoonosis; disease transmission; Domestic cat; Felidae; Felidae - parasitology; histopathology; infection; Otocolobus manul; Pallas’ cat; parasitemia; Piroplasm; Piroplasmia; Piroplasmida - physiology; protozoal infections; Protozoan Infections, Animal - parasitology; Protozoan Infections, Animal - transmission; Species Specificity; Otocolobus manul; Piroplasm; Cytauxzoon manul; Domestic cat; Cytauxzoon felis; Pallas’ cat
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.03.001

In a random, blind study, six domestic cats were assigned to two treatment groups that received either sterile water or dexamethasone by subcutaneous injection prior to intravenous inoculation with Pallas’ cat ( Otocolobus manul) blood infected with Cytauxzoon manul. A seventh domestic cat served as a control and was inoculated only with sterile water. Cats were monitored for clinical signs consistent with cytauxzoonosis, and periodically screened for hemoparasitemia. All domestic cats (6/6) that received Pallas’ cat blood infected with C. manul developed a low but detectible parasitemia by 9 days post-inoculation, yet remained clinically healthy. All domestic cats (7/7) were subsequently challenged with Cytauxzoon felis and developed clinical signs typical of cytauxzoonosis within 5 days post-challenge. Affected animals were euthanized and cytauxzoonosis was confirmed by histopathology. While inoculation of domestic cats with Pallas’ cat blood infected with C. manul induced a parasitemia, it did not cause disease or provide protection against challenge with C. felis. Further studies are warranted to determine the potential for interspecies transmission and disease with C. manul.