Emerging Insights into Feline Hepatozoonosis in Türkiye: Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Characterization from the Aegean Coast.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the presence, prevalence, and molecular characteristics ofspp. infection in domestic cats living in Aydın and İzmir provinces, located on the Aegean coast of Türkiye. The study specifically focuses on species identification and genotype distribution. METHODS: A total of 203 blood samples from domestic cats were analyzed forspp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the 67 PCR-positive samples, 10 (five for each province) were selected for sequencing, and bidirectional Sanger sequencing was performed. The obtained sequences were evaluated using basic local alignment search tool and phylogenetic analyses, and genotype identification was based on the 18S rRNA gene region. Additionally, potential risk factors such as age, sex, health status and housing type were statistically analyzed for their association withspp. infection. RESULTS: The overall prevalence ofspp. in cats was determined to be 33.0% (67/203). The infection rate was 43.69% in Aydın and 22% in İzmir, and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.001). All 10 sequenced samples were identified as, and all isolates belonged to Genotype I. A significant association was found between age and infection, with a particularly high infection rate of 44% observed in cats aged one year or younger (p=0.020). CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high prevalence ofspp. infection among cats in western Türkiye, with all sequenced isolates identified as Genotype I. The notably high infection rate observed in young cats raises the possibility of transplacental transmission. These findings underscore the need for further investigations to clarify the transmission routes and risk factors associated with this protozoan parasite, the epidemiology of which remains insufficiently understood.