First report of Hepatozoon silvestris in a domestic cat (Felis catus) from New York.

Abstract

Hepatozoon spp. are apicomplexan parasites that infect a wide variety of animals including felids, with cats serving as the intermediate host and blood-feeding arthropods serving as the definitive hosts. Although three distinct Hepatozoon spp. have been described infecting domestic cats, little is known about the transmission and pathogenicity of feline Hepatozoonosis. Within the United States, numerous reports describe Hepatozoon spp. in wild felids, however, there are only a few reports of Hepatozoon spp. infection in domestic cats. Here, we describe the case of a domestic cat from New York, USA, infected with Hepatozoon silvestris and confirmed by molecular analysis. This report highlights the importance of considering this parasite in veterinary clinical practices and epidemiological studies in domestic cat populations in the country. Hepatozoon silvestris has been previously reported in felids in Central and Eastern Europe. Considering this case and other recent reports of Hepatozoon spp. in wild felids in the USA, it is likely that there are Hepatozoon spp. infecting both wild and domestic felids in the USA which are currently underrecognized.