Low prevalence of Babesia hongkongensis infection in community and privately-owned cats in Hong Kong

Low prevalence of Babesia hongkongensis infection in community and privately-owned cats in Hong Kong

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Domestic cats are susceptible to infection with at least 11 species of Babesia.In Hong Kong, where dogs are commonly infected with B.gibsoni, a single infection in a cat by a novel species, B.hongkongensis, was reported previously.The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of Babesia spp.

detection in cats in Hong Kong.Residual blood-derived DNA from healthy free-roaming community cats (n = 239), and privately-owned cats with and without anaemia undergoing diagnostic investigations (n = 125) was tested for MULTI ENZYME FULL SPECTRUM Babesia spp.DNA using a pan-Babesia PCR targeting mitochondrial Cytochrome B, and a B.hongkongensis specific PCR targeting 18S rRNA.Positive samples were confirmed by sequencing and comparative sequence analysis against the GenBank nucleotide database.

Babesia hongkongensis was detected in 4/239 (1.7 %) community Intermediate cats, and 0/125 (0.0 %) privately-owned cats.Babesia gibsoni was detected in 0/239 community cats and 1/125 (0.8 %) privately-owned cats.

Cats infected with B.hongkongensis were clinically healthy at the time of sampling.The B.gibsoni-infected cat was anaemic and thrombocytopenic.Cats in Hong Kong can be infected with B.

hongkongensis and B.gibsoni, albeit at low frequency.The tick vector for B.hongkongensis is yet to be identified.