IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library
   

 

View printer friendly
Shock, B.C.; Birkenheuer, A.J.; Patton, L.L.; Olfenbuttel, C.; Beringer, J.; Grove, D.M.; Peek, M.; Butfiloski, J.W.; Hughes, D.W.; Lockhart, J.M.; Cunningham, M.W.; Brown, H.M.; Peterson, D.S.; Yabsley, M.J.
Variation in the ITS-1 and ITS-2 rRNA genomic regions of _Cytauxzoon felis_ from bobcats and pumas in the eastern United States and comparison with sequences from domestic cats
2012  Veterinary Parasitology (190): 29-35

_Cytauxzoon felis_, a tick-borne protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of cytauxzoonosis in domestic cats in the United States. The natural reservoir for this parasite is the bobcat (_Lynx rufus_), which typically does not develop clinical signs. Although not likely important reservoirs, _C. felis_ has also been detected in pumas (_Puma concolor_) in Florida and Louisiana. Recent studies suggest that specific genotypes of _C. felis_ that circulate in domestic cats may be associated with variable clinical outcomes and specific spatial locations. In the current study, we investigated the intraspecific variation of the _C. felis_ internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1 and ITS-2 rRNA regions from 145 wild felids (139 bobcats and six pumas) from 11 states (Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania). Unambiguous ITS-1 and ITS-2 data were obtained for 144 and 112 samples, respectively, and both ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences were obtained for 111 (77%) samples. For the ITS-1 region, sequences from 65 samples collected from wild felids were identical to those previously reported in domestic cats, while the other 79 sequences were unique. _C. felis_ from 45 bobcats and one puma had ITS-1 sequences identical to the most common sequence reported from domestic cats. Within the ITS-2 region, sequences from 49 bobcats were identical to those previously reported in domestic cats and 63 sequences were unique (with some occurring in more than one bobcat). The most common ITS-2 sequence from domestic cats was also common in wild felids (31 bobcats and a puma). Samples from three pumas from Florida and two bobcats from Missouri had a 40- or 41-bp insert in the ITS-2 similar to one described previously in a domestic cat from Arkansas. Additionally, a previously undescribed 198- or 199-bp insert was detected in the ITS-2 sequence from four bobcats. Collectively, based on combined ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences, five different genotypes were detected in the wild felids. Genotype ITSa was the most common genotype (11 bobcats and one puma) and fewer numbers of ITSb, ITSe, ITSg, and ITSi were detected in bobcats. These data indicate that, based on ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences, numerous C. felis strains may circulate in wild felids.

PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here

 

(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union)