Cats Surviving Natural Infection withCytauxzoon felis: 18 Cases (1997–1998)

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Abstract
Eighteen cats surviving natural infection withCytauxzoon feliswere identified. All cats came from a limited geographic area in northwestern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Clinical signs in most cats were similar to those described for cytauxzoonosis; however, 4 cats were asymptomatic. All cases were initially diagnosed by microscopic identification of signet ring‐shaped piroplasms in erythrocytes of peripheral blood smears. Four of 4 cats tested had detectable serum antibodies toC felis. Four different cats were positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Partial sequencing of the PCR product from 1 cat revealed >99% homology with the reported sequence ofC felis. Repeated examination of blood smears from 12 cats revealed that the erythroparasitemia was generally persistent for the duration of follow‐up (3–154 days). Survival did not seem dependent on treatment, as only 1 cat was treated with a drug with potential antiprotozoal activity (imidocarb dipropionate), and 4 cats received no treatment. The findings of this study may indicate the existence of a less virulent strain ofC felis.