Cytauxzoonosis

The Cytauxzoonose is an infectious disease of cats caused by Cytauxzoon felis. The name of the disease is derived from the name of the agent, it is not a zoonosis, but a specific cat scratch disease. The Cytauxzoonose is endemic in the central and eastern southern United States. As a reservoir of pathogens serve Bobcats, which is transmitted by the American dog tick ( Dermatocentor variabilis ).

The incubation period is 5-20 days. After infection, there is a pathogen asexual multiplication ( schizogony ) in the mononuclear cells with formation of schizonts and Makroschizonten. The liberated from the macrophages merozoites invade the red blood cells ( erythrocytes), demolish these and lead to hemolytic anemia. As a result of the mononuclear infiltrates the blood flow to the body tissues is also impaired.

Clinically, it shows the Cytauxzoonose in non-specific symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, fatigue, jaundice and pale mucous membranes. The blood picture shows a regenerative anemia and neutrophilia. For diagnosis can be put through the detection of the merozoites in the red blood cells the diagnosis by examination of a blood smear. Infected macrophages can be detected in biopsies of liver, spleen, bone marrow, or lymph nodes. A direct detection of pathogens by polymerase chain reaction is possible. Differential diagnosis, especially the feline infectious anemia, and the Feline babesiosis are excluded.

For the treatment diminazene can be used. In addition, supportive measures such as blood transfusions and infusions are displayed. The disease can be prevented by a consistent protection against ticks.