Molecular survey of Piroplasmida, Hepatozoon spp. and Anaplasmataceae in anemic and thrombocytopenic dogs from Uruguay.

Canine tick-borne diseases, such as babesiosis, rangeliosis, hepatozoonosis, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, are of veterinarian relevance, causing mild or severe clinical cases that can lead to the death of the dog. The aim of this study was detecting tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial infections in dogs with anemia and/or thrombocytopenia in Uruguay. A total of 803 domestic dogs were evaluated, and 10% were found positive (detected by PCR) at least for one hemoparasite. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of four hemoprotozoan species: Rangelia vitalii, Babesia vogeli, Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanum, and the rickettsial Anaplasma platys. The most detected hemoparasite was R. vitalii, followed by H. canis and A. platys. This is the first report of B. vogeli in Uruguay and the second report of H. americanum in dogs from South America. The results highlight the importance for veterinarians to include hemoparasitic diseases in their differential diagnosis of agents causing anemia and thrombocytopenia.

Hepatozoon spp. in stray cats from the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In the last few years, the number of studies on feline hepatozoonosis has increased, but our knowledge on the actual species of Hepatozoon and/or different genotypes affecting felines is still incipient. At least three species, namely Hepatozoon felis, H. canis, and H. silvestris, have been isolated from domestic cats in various countries. Additionally, there are indications that other species and genotypes may affect felines in given geographic areas. This study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp. in cats from Niterói, a municipality within the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Individual blood samples were collected from 28 cats enrolled in a spaying/castration program. DNA was extracted from all samples and subjected to sequencing specific for Hepatozoon spp. DNA of H. felis was found in 21/28 cats (75%), and four genetic polymorphisms never described thus far were detected. This is the first report of H. felis in cats living in the State of Rio de Janeiro, and the present data confirm that H. felis is a species complex encompassing different genotypes circulating within cat populations. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether different genotypes have different biology or pathogenicity for felids.

Title: Hepatozoon spp. chez les chats errants de la zone métropolitaine de Rio de Janeiro, Brésil. Abstract: Au cours des dernières années, le nombre d'études sur l'hépatozoonose féline a augmenté, mais nos connaissances sur les espèces d'Hepatozoon et/ou différents génotypes affectant les félins sont encore naissantes. Au moins trois espèces, à savoir Hepatozoon felis, H. canis et H. silvestris, ont été isolées chez des chats domestiques dans divers pays. De plus, il semble que d'autres espèces et génotypes puissent affecter les félins dans des zones géographiques données. Cette étude a été réalisée pour étudier la présence d'Hepatozoon spp. chez des chats de Niterói, une municipalité de la zone métropolitaine de Rio de Janeiro, au Brésil. Des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés individuellement sur 28 chats d'un programme de castration. L'ADN a été extrait de tous les échantillons et soumis à un séquençage spécifique de Hepatozoon spp. L'ADN de H. felis a été trouvé chez 21 chats sur 28 (75%) et quatre polymorphismes génétiques, jamais décrits jusqu'à présent, ont été détectés. Il s'agit du premier signalement de H. felis chez des chats vivant dans l'État de Rio de Janeiro et les données actuelles confirment que H. felis est un complexe d'espèces englobant différents génotypes circulant au sein des populations de chats. Des études supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour déterminer si les différents génotypes ont une biologie ou une pathogénicité différente pour les félidés.

Description of an intramonocytic haemoparasite, Hepatozoon lainsoni sp. nov. (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae), infecting Ameiva ameiva lizard (Reptilia: Squamata: Teiidae) in northern Brazil.

Haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) parasites are considered to be the most common and widespread haemoparasites in reptiles. The genus Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) can be found parasitizing a broad range of species and, in reptiles, they infect mainly peripheral blood erythrocytes. The present study detected and characterized a haemogregarine isolated from the lizard species, Ameiva ameiva, collected from the municipality of Capanema, Pará state, north Brazil. Blood smears and imprints from lungs, brain, heart, kidney, liver, bone marrow and spleen were observed using light microscopy and the parasite was genetically identified by molecular analysis. Morphological, morphometric and molecular data were obtained. Parasite gamonts were found in 49.5% (55/111) of the blood smears from A. ameiva, and were characterized as oval, averaging 12.0 ± 0.8 × 5.9 ± 0.6 µm2 in size, which displaced the nuclei of parasitized monocytes laterally. Parasite forms resembling immature gamonts were observed in the spleen and bone marrow of the lizards. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses of 18S rRNA sequences did not reveal gene similarity with other Hepatozoon spp. sequences from reptiles. Thus, morphological and molecular analyses have identified a new species of Hepatozoon parasite, Hepatozoon lainsoni sp. nov., which infects monocytes of the A. ameiva lizard.

Hepatozoon (Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae) in wild mammals of the Americas: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The study of parasites provides insight into intricate ecological relationships in ecosystem dynamics, food web structures, and evolution on multiple scales. Hepatozoon Eucoccidiorida: Hepatozoidae) is a genus of protozoan hemoparasites with heteroxenous life cycles that switch infections between vertebrates and blood-feeding invertebrates. The most comprehensive review of the genus was published 26 years ago, and currently there are no harmonized data on the epizootiology, diagnostics, genotyping methods, evolutionary relationships, and genetic diversity of Hepatozoon in the Americas. METHODS: Here, we provide a comprehensive review based on the PRISMA method regarding Hepatozoon in wild mammals within the American continent, in order to generate a framework for future research. RESULTS: 11 out of the 35 countries of the Americas (31.4%) had data on Hepatozoon, with Carnivora and Rodentia orders having the most characterizations. Bats, ungulates, and shrews were the least affected groups. While Hepatozoon americanum, H. americanum-like, H. canis, H. didelphydis, H. felis, H. milleri, H. griseisciuri, and H. procyonis correspond to the identified species, a plethora of genospecies is pending for a formal description combining morphology and genetics. Most of the vectors of Hepatozoon in the Americas are unknown, but some flea, mite, and tick species have been confirmed. The detection of Hepatozoon has relied mostly on conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the implementation of specific real time PCR for the genus needs to be employed to improve its diagnosis in wild animals in the future. From a genetic perspective, the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene has been widely sequenced for the identification of Hepatozoon in wild animals. However, mitochondrial and apicoplast markers should also be targeted to truly determine different species in the genus. A phylogenetic analysis of herein retrieved 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences showed two main clades of Hepatozoon: Clade I associated with small mammals, birds, and herpetozoa, and Clade II associated with Carnivora. The topology of the tree is also reflected in the haplotype network. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, our review emphasizes Hepatozoon as a potential disease agent in threatened wild mammals and the role of wild canids as spreaders of Hepatozoon infections in the Americas.

CORRECTING THE NAMES OF TWO HAEMOGREGARINA SPP. FROM LIZARDS IN EGYPT.

Two haemogregarine "species" names, Haemogregarina tarentannulari and Haemogregarina rawashi, were cited by Saoud et al. (1995) as having been described by Mohammed and Ramadan (1996, in press). However, the paper by Mohammed and Ramadan (1996) was never published and, therefore, these names and their authorities must be suppressed because they violate Chapter 3 (Criteria for Publication), Article 8 (What Constitutes Published Work) of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The following new names are introduced to replace them based on the Principle of Priority (Chapter 6, Article 23, 23.1, and Chapter 11, Article 51, Recommendation 51E): Hepatozoon rawashi (Mohammed and Ramadan in Saoud, Ramadan, Mohammed and Fawzi, 1995) n. comb., with gamonts in the erythrocytes and meronts in the lungs and liver of the fan-footed gecko, Ptyodactylus hasselquisiti (Donndorff, 1798) from Egypt, and Haemogregarina tarentannulari (Mohammed and Ramadan in Saoud, Ramadan, Mohammed and Fawzi, 1995), with gamonts in the erythrocytes and meronts in the lungs and liver of the white-spotted wall gecko, Tarentola annularis (St. Hilaire, 1827) also from Egypt. This latter species was determined to be a junior synonym of Haemogregarina annularis El-Naffar, Mandour, and Mohammed 1991, which was later reassigned to the genus Hepatozoon based on their phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA gene sequences.

New insights on the phylogeography of Hepatozoon canis in Brazil.

This study aimed to molecularly characterize the Hepatozoon spp. infecting domestic and wild dogs in Brazil. A total of 22 whole blood samples tested positive for Hepatozoon spp., and five samples were sequenced for the 18S rDNA gene from H. canis after PCR amplification with four primer sets. Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference showed that the three H. canis isolates from domestic dogs were not monophyletic; however, they were more closely related to each other than to other H. canis sequences. The isolate from the hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus) was phylogenetically more distant. Two haplotype networks were constructed, identifying 10 haplotypes of H. canis in Brazil, with H10 constituting the largest group. It contains nine isolates, including three from domestic dogs. The H5 haplotype grouped the sequence of L. vetulus with two additional sequences from hosts Tapirus terrestris and L. vetulus, representing the sole haplotype with wild hosts. Bayesian analysis suggested the possible existence of two genetic groups of H. canis in Brazil, indicating gene flow of this agent within the country. These findings contribute valuable insights for a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular diversity of Hepatozoon spp. in Brazil and may help in the development of effective control measures.

First molecular detection and genetic diversity of Hepatozoon sp. (Apicomplexa) and Brugia sp. (Nematoda) in a crocodile monitor in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

The crocodile monitor (Varanus salvator) is the most common monitor lizard in Thailand. Based on habitat and food, they have the potential to transmit zoonoses, with a high possibility of infecting ectoparasites and endoparasites. Diseases that could infect crocodile monitors and be transmitted to other animals, including humans. This research aims to identify and evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Hepatozoon sp. and sheathed microfilaria in crocodile monitors. The phylogenetic analyses of Hepatozoon, based on 18S rRNA, and sheathed microfilaria, based on the COX1 gene, revealed that the Hepatozoon sp. were grouped with H. caimani, while sheathed microfilaria were grouped together with B. timori. This study provides insights into the genetic diversity and host-parasite interactions of hemoparasites in crocodile monitors in Thailand.

Phylogenetic analysis and haplotype networking of Hepatozoon felis infecting wild animals in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India.

The present study was aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationship, haplotype network, and demographic dynamics of H. felis infecting the endangered Asiatic lions in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India, on the basis of partial 18S rRNA gene. The phylogenetic analysis based on the partial 18S rRNA gene sequences of H. felis exhibited the presence of two distinct genotypes of H. felis (HfG1 and HfG2) infecting the Indian wild felids, viz., the Asiatic lion, Royal Bengal tiger, and Indian leopard. The HfG1 and HfG2 genotypes exhibited 97.6-100% and 99.7-100%, and 96.9-98.7% nucleotide identity within and between themselves, respectively. The HfG1 genotype exhibited a higher genetic diversity as compared to HfG2. A total of 22 molecular signatures were identified in the 18S rRNA gene between these genotypes. Further, analysis of a total 67 sequences of H. felis (13 different host species from 13 countries of Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe) that were downloaded from GenBankTM, generated 30 haplotypes. Among all the haplotypes, Hap_17 (h=12) was the most frequent followed by Hap_12 (h=09) and Hap_4 (h=05). Out of 13 location-wise populations, India (h=12) shared the highest number of haplotypes followed by Japan (h=08), and the least number of haplotypes were found in Hungary (h=02). Population dynamics study involving neutrality tests and mismatch distribution, and genetic differentiation indices, revealed the presence of phylogeographic population structure and a constant population size indicating a uniform gene flow among the populations worldwide. In conclusion, a high genetic diversity along with the presence of two distinct genotypes of H. felis were observed on the basis of 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis.

Hepatozoon spp. infection in wild canids in the eastern United States.

BACKGROUND: Hepatozoon spp. are apicomplexan parasites known to cause musculoskeletal disease in a variety of animals. Two species are known to infect wild and domestic canids in the US: Hepatozoon canis and H. americanum. METHODS: In this study, blood, heart, and/or spleen samples were collected from 278 wild canids (180 coyotes, 93 red foxes, and 5 gray foxes) in the eastern US and tested via PCR for Hepatozoon. Histology slides of heart and skeletal muscle were assessed for Hepatozoon cysts and associated inflammation when fresh tissue was available (n = 96). RESULTS: Hepatozoon spp. were found in 24.2% (59/278) of individuals, with Hepatozoon canis in 14.0% (34/278) and H. americanum in 10.7% (26/278). One coyote was positive for both H. canis and H. americanum. Foxes were more likely to be positive for H. canis than coyotes (23% and 7% respectively, P = 0.0008), while only coyotes were positive for H. americanum. Of the eight sampled states, H. canis was present in six (Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia) while H. americanum was found in two southern states (South Carolina and Louisiana). Infection status was positively correlated with myositis and myocarditis, and heart or muscle cysts were found in 83% (5/6) of H. americanum-positive coyotes. CONCLUSION: This survey showed a moderate prevalence of H. canis and H. americanum in states where the parasite was previously unrecorded including South Carolina and Pennsylvania.

The first report on Hepatozoon canis in dogs and wolves in Poland: clinical and epidemiological features.

BACKGROUND: Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is a common infection in dogs, with frequent case reports from the Mediterranean region and more recently from several Central European countries, such as Hungary and Germany. Despite the high prevalence of H. canis in red foxes, no infections have been reported to date in dogs in Poland. We describe here the first autochthonous cases of H. canis infection in dogs, including their clinical features, and report the prevalence of H. canis in grey wolves from different regions of Poland. METHODS: Thin smears prepared from blood samples collected from dogs were evaluated by microscopic examination. A total of 60 wolves and 47 dogs were tested. Infections were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. RESULTS: Gamonts of H. canis were found in > 50% of the neutrophils of two dogs and in < 10% of the neutrophils in another five dogs. Molecular typing by PCR sequencing of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene fragment confirmed infections in 11 dogs from different regions of Poland, in 2.7% of dogs attending veterinary practices in central Poland and in 35% of wolves from various geographical regions of Poland. Clinical features manifested mostly in older dogs, and the most common signs were anaemia and apathy. Young dogs usually remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of H. canis infection in dogs and wolves in Poland. Although the exact vector of the parasite is not known, veterinary practitioners should be aware of this new parasitosis and should consider appropriate diagnostics to confirm/exclude this infection. Further studies are needed to understand the transmission routes of H. canis in domestic and wild canids in Poland.

Discovery of a new Hepatozoon species namely Hepatozoon viperoi sp. nov. in nose-horned vipers in Türkiye.

Although Hepatozoon spp. remains the most prevalent intracellular protozoa infecting snakes, it was reported only in a few snake species of the Colubridae family in Türkiye. Moreover, studies on these hemoparasites are not available in venomous nose-horned vipers from Türkiye. In this study, we investigated Hepatozoon spp. in three individual Vipera ammodytes using morphological and molecular methods. Our results were positive for intraerythrocytic Hepatozoon spp. gamonts in all three snakes, exhibiting low parasitemia. The microscopic findings were further confirmed through molecular data. A genus-specific PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene region of Hepatozoon spp., was performed using HemoF/HemoR and Hep300/Hep900 primers. The obtained sequences were concatenated and used in phylogenetic analyses in comparison with different Hepatozoon species. Although our (OP377741) isolate was separated into a different branch, it was clustered with the isolates of H. massardi (KC342526), H. cevapii (KC342525), and H. annulatum (ON262426) from Brazilian snakes. Moreover, gene similarity and pair-wise distance between our isolate and other Hepatozoon species infecting snakes were found to be 89.30-98.63% and 0.009-0.077, respectively. Hence, we reported a new species of Hepatozoon, namely Hepatozoon viperoi sp. nov. infecting V. ammodytes. Since the literature does not indicate the existence of such a Hepatozoon species in V. ammodytes in different countries, our data may contribute to the expanding knowledge of Hepatozoon species in snakes, providing new insights into the biodiversity of the haemogregarine protozoan parasite.

Hepatozoon species infecting domestic cats from countries of the Mediterranean basin.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are caused by pathogens of human and veterinary concern representing a major public health issue worldwide. Although feline medicine has progressed much in the recent decades, data on feline TBDs (FeTBDs) remain scant. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of apicomplexan parasite infections, associated risk factors and clinical-hematological abnormalities in domestic feline populations from countries of the Mediterranean basin. Blood and serum samples from cats (n = 600) living in France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Portugal and Spain were collected along with animal data (i.e., age, sex, breed, housing conditions and geographical origin), clinical signs and laboratory blood test parameters. Cats were grouped according to their age as kitten (up to one year), young (between one and six years), mature (between seven and ten years) and senior (older than ten years). Blood samples were tested for Hepatozoon spp. and piroplasmids by conventional PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene. The overall prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. infection was 14.5%, being significantly higher in cats from Greece (30%) and Portugal (23%), followed by Spain (15%), Israel (15%) and France (4%). Cats from Italy scored negative. Hepatozoon felis was identified in 86 animals, with three different sequence types and H. silvestris was detected in one shelter cat from Portugal. No piroplasmid DNA was amplified. The risk of Hepatozoon spp. infection was related to feline geographical provenience, housing condition and age. No statistical correlation was reported with any clinical signs, while increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was the only laboratory abnormality significantly associated (p = 0.03) with the infection. Data suggest a high circulation of H. felis, and only occasionally of H. silvestris, within domestic feline populations in the Mediterranean basin, mainly in shelter or free roaming and young cats with asymptomatic or subclinical infection.

Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 parasites in the Colubridae snakes Clelia clelia (Daudin, 1803) and Drymarchon corais (Boie, 1827) from the Eastern Amazonia.

Based on the genetic, morphological, and morphometric data of blood gamonts, we identified Hepatozoon parasites in colubrid snakes sampled in the Eastern Amazon region. Hepatozoon trigeminum was detected in the mussurana snake Clelia clelia and exhibited wide and elongated gamonts (mean dimensions: 14.25±0.65 × 4.31±0.43 µm) with an evident parasitophorous vacuole. Hepatozoon odwyerae sp. nov. was described in the indigo snake Drymarchon corais, whose gamonts have elongated and thin bodies (mean dimensions: 13.41±0.79 × 3.72±0.35 µm) with one end more tapered than the other. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the amplification of a 441 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene, revealed that the novel sequences of Hepatozoon spp. from our study were closely related to hemogregarine lineages found in lizards and snakes from Brazil, forming a well-supported monophyletic clade with them. The present study provides the first species description of Hepatoozon in D. corais and a new record of a host species for C. clelia using the integrated taxonomic data. We also highlight the importance of further investigations into the diversity of Hepatozoon in snakes, a rich but underestimated group of parasites, especially in the Amazonian biome.

Molecular characterization of haemosporidian and haemogregarine diversity in southwestern Iberian amphibians and reptiles.

The knowledge of the diversity and geographic distribution of parasite species is the first step towards understanding processes of global epidemiology and species conservation. Despite recent increases in research on haemosporidian and haemogregarine parasites of reptiles and amphibians, we still know little about their diversity and parasite-host interactions, especially in the Iberian Peninsula, where a few studies have been conducted. In this study, the haemosporidian and haemogregarine diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the parasites in southwestern Iberian amphibians and reptiles were assessed using PCR approaches on blood samples of 145 individuals from five amphibian and 13 reptile species. The amphibians did not present any of both groups of parasites studied. Regarding reptiles, five Hepatozoon, one Haemogregarina, and one Haemocystidum haplotypes were found infecting four different species, revealing new host records for these parasites. Among them, we found one new Haemocystidium haplotype and three new and a previously reported Hepatozoon haplotype from a north African snake. The latter finding suggests that some Hepatozoon parasites may not be host-specific and have large geographic ranges even crossing geographical barriers. These results increased the knowledge about the geographic distribution and the number of known host species of some reptile apicomplexan parasites, highlighting the great unexplored diversity of them in this region.

Apicomplexan haemoparasites in domestic cats in Romania.

BACKGROUND: Apicomplexan haemoparasites are protozoans that infect a variety of domestic and wild animal species, as well as humans. Data regarding haemoprotozoans in domestic cats are limited; therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. in domestic cats in Romania using molecular tools. METHODS: Blood samples from 371 domestic cats were screened for the presence of piroplasmids. All samples that yielded a visible band in agarose gels were subsequently tested by specific assays targeting the 18S rDNA of Babesia spp., Cytauxzoon spp., and Hepatozoon spp. Moreover, nested PCR assays targeting mitochondrial genes of Babesia spp. were used for screening of all Babesia spp. 18S rDNA-positive samples. RESULTS: From the total number of sampled cats, 19.4% were positive in the PCR assay targeting piroplasmids. Babesia spp. were identified in 15.1% of cats, while 0.5% were positive for Hepatozoon spp. Molecular analyses confirmed the presence of Babesia canis. No samples were positive for Cytauxzoon spp. CONCLUSIONS: The high infection rates of domestic cats with Babesia spp. and the need for species differentiation highlight the importance of mitochondrial genes as targets for molecular protocols.

Genetic diversity, phylogenetic position, and co-phylogenetic relationships of Karyolysus, a common blood parasite of lizards in the western Mediterranean.

The genus Karyolysus was originally proposed to accommodate blood parasites of lacertid lizards in Western Europe. However, recent phylogenetic analyses suggested an inconclusive taxonomic position of these parasites of the order Adeleorina based on the available genetic information. Inconsistencies between molecular phylogeny, morphology, and/or life cycles can reflect lack of enough genetic information of the target group. We therefore surveyed 28 localities and collected blood samples from 828 lizards of 23 species including lacertids, skinks, and geckoes in the western Mediterranean, North Africa, and Macaronesia, where species of Karyolysus and other adeleorine parasites have been described. We combined molecular and microscopic methods to analyze the samples, including those from the host type species and the type locality of Karyolysus bicapsulatus. The phylogenetic relationship of these parasites was analyzed based on the 18S rRNA gene and the co-phylogenetic relationship with their vertebrate hosts was reconstructed. We molecularly detected adeleorine parasites in 37.9% of the blood samples and found 22 new parasite haplotypes. A phylogenetic reconstruction with 132 sequences indicated that 20 of the newly detected haplotypes clustered in a well-supported clade with another 18 sequences that included Karyolysus galloti and Karyolysus lacazei. Morphological evidence also supported that K. bicapsulatus clustered in this monophyletic clade. These results supported the taxonomic validity of the genus. In addition, we found some parasite haplotypes that infected different lizard host genera with ancient diverging histories, which suggested that Karyolysus is less host-specific than other blood parasites of lizards in the region. A co-phylogenetic analysis supported this interpretation because no significant co-speciation signal was shown between Karyolysus and lizard hosts.

Diversity of Hepatozoon species in wild mammals and ticks in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Hepatozoon spp. are tick-borne parasites causing subclinical to clinical disease in wild and domestic animals. Aim of this study was to determine Hepatozoon prevalence and species distribution among wild mammals and ticks in Europe. METHODS: Samples of wild mammals and ticks, originating from Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Belgium and the Netherlands, were tested with PCR to amplify a ~ 670-bp fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. RESULTS: Of the 2801 mammal samples that were used for this study, 370 (13.2%) tested positive. Hepatozoon canis was detected in samples of 178 animals (3 Artiodactyla, 173 Carnivora, 1 Eulipotyphia, 1 Lagomorpha), H. martis in 125 (3 Artiodactyla, 122 Carnivora), H. sciuri in 13 (all Rodentia), Hepatozoon sp. in 47 (among which Hepatozoon sp. Vole isolate, all Rodentia) and H. ayorgbor in 4 (all Rodentia). Regarding origin, 2.9% (6/208) tested positive from Austria, 2.8% (1/36) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 14.6% (173/1186) from Croatia and 13.9% (190/1371) from Belgium/the Netherlands. Of the 754 ticks collected, 0.0% (0/35) Hyalomma sp., 16.0% (4/25) Dermacentor spp., 0.0% (0/23) Haemaphysalis spp., 5.3% (24/50) Ixodes and 1.4% (3/221) Rhipicephalus spp. tested positive for Hepatozoon (4.2%; 32/754), most often H. canis (n = 22). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatozoon canis is most present in mammals (especially in Carnivora such as gray wolves and golden jackals) and ticks, followed by H. martis, which was found merely in stone martens and pine martens. None of the rodent-associated Hepatozoon spp. were detected in the ticks, suggesting the possible implication of other arthropod species or non-vectorial routes in the transmission cycle of the hemoprotozoans in rodents. Our findings of H. canis in ticks other than R. sanguineus add to the observation that other ticks are also involved in the life cycle of Hepatozoon. Now that presence of Hepatozoon has been demonstrated in red foxes, gray wolves, mustelids and rodents from the Netherlands and/or Belgium, veterinary clinicians should be aware of the possibility of spill-over to domestic animals, such as dogs.

Hepatozoon silvestris: an emerging feline vector-borne pathogen in Europe?

Hepatozoon silvestris (Adeleorina: Hepatozoidae) is a recently described agent of feline hepatozoonosis. Although possibly emerging in Europe, this apicomplexan parasite is still largely unknown. Here, we provide insight into our current knowledge of the parasite's distribution, biology, and pathogenesis of the associated disease.

Clinical, diagnostic and epidemiological implications of Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp. and Leishmania infantum infection in cats and dogs in a Mediterranean periurban setting.

Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp. and Leishmania infantum are common parasites of dogs in Mediterranean countries and are less frequent in cats, particularly Babesia spp. and L. infantum. Moreover, there is limited information on coinfections between these parasites and on L. infantum's distribution in blood, skin and lymphoid tissue in cats. We used PCR and DNA sequencing to investigate the prevalence of these parasites and the aetiology of Hepatozoon spp. and Babesia spp., in blood, skin, spleen and lymph node samples from up to 212 stray cats and 82 abandoned dogs in southeast Spain. All except 2 dogs were healthy; instead, 112 cats had clinical signs. The estimated PCR prevalences (95% confidence interval) were 25% (19-31%) Hepatozoon felis in cats, 13% (6-21%) Hepatozoon canis in dogs, 1% (0-4%) Babesia vogeli in dogs, 0% Babesia spp. in cats and 21% (15-26%) and 44% (33-55%) L. infantum in cats and dogs, respectively, and infections were not associated with each other. Leishmania infantum prevalence in lymphoid tissue was significantly higher in dogs than in cats (p < 0.001), and dogs had higher parasite loads than cats (p = 0.012). Moreover, L. infantum prevalence was significantly higher in the skin and lymphoid tissue compared to blood in infected, asymptomatic animals but it was similar in cats with clinical signs, which also had higher parasite loads compared to infected, asymptomatic cats (p < 0.05). The study highlights significant differences between sympatric dogs and cats with respect to the parasite infections investigated, as well as the need to examine both lymphoid tissue and skin samples to maximise the sensitivity of L. infantum infection diagnosis.

First autochthonous clinical case of Hepatozoon silvestris in a domestic cat in Italy with unusual presentation.

Hepatozoon spp. is the causative agent of a vector-borne parasitic disease in many animal species. In felids, Hepatozoon felis, Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon silvestris have been molecularly isolated. Hepatozoonosis usually causes asymptomatic infections in domestic cats, but clinical cases have recently been reported in Europe. We describe the first Italian case of hepatozoonosis in a cat with an unusual presentation. An 11-year-old neutered European shorthair cat was urgently hospitalized for intestinal intussusception. Hematology, biochemistry, FIV-FeLV tests, blood smears and molecular investigation targeting the 18S rRNA gene of Hepatozoon spp. were performed on blood samples; in addition, histological and molecular investigations were performed to analyze surgical samples to identify Hepatozoon infection. Hepatozoon gamonts were detected in granulocytes in the blood smear, and Hepatozoon spp. DNA was confirmed by PCR on blood. The intussusception was caused by a sessile endoluminal nodule that was surgically removed. Histologically, many elements referring to parasitic tissue forms were identified in the intestinal cells, and then the specimens were molecularly confirmed to harbor H. silvestris. This is the first description of symptomatic hepatozoonosis in a domestic cat in Italy. Hepatozoon silvestris has been described in wild felids, which are usually resilient to the infection, whereas the domestic cat seems to be more susceptible. Indeed, H. silvestris in cats usually presents tropism for skeletal muscle and myocardium with subsequent clinical manifestations. This is the first description of a domestic cat with H. silvestris localized in the intestinal epithelium and associated with intussusception.