Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a cat

Abstract

The aim of this study was to diagnose the etiological factor of disease in a 2.5 year old male cat with symptoms of loss of appetite, apathy and the presence of pale yellow mucous membranes. Haematological and biochemical analysis of the blood taken from the sick animal showed a normal white blood cell count (14.19 × 10⁹/l), reduced erythrocyte (3.96 × 10¹²/l), haematocrit (0.2213), haemoglobin concentration (66 g/l) and thrombocyte count (52 × 10⁹/l), increased activity of ALT (583 IU/l), AST (265 IU/l) and bilirubin concentration (205.2 µmol/l). A PCR test for Babesia/Theileria and Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. did not show the presence of the genetic material of protozoa; however, it revealed the presence of the 16S RNA gene of ricketsiae in the blood of the cat. The sequence of the fragment of this gene showed a 98.3% homology with Anaplasma phagocytophilum GU183908. Serological examination of the cat using the IFAT test revealed the presence in its serum of anti-Anaplasma phagocytophilum antibodies with a titre of 1 : 40. This paper presents the first report of feline anaplasmosis in Poland confirmed by molecular tests.