Use of a polymerase chain reaction assay to detect and differentiate two strains of Haemobartonella felis in naturally infected cats

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Abstract
Objective—To develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that detects and differentiates the Ohio strain ofHaemobartonella felis(H felis-OH) and the California strain ofH felis(H felis-CA) and to apply the assay to blood samples from cats with and without suspected haemobartonellosis (suspect and control cats, respectively).Sample Population—220 blood samples were examined; 82 were from suspect cats, and 138 were from control cats.Procedure—A PCR assay was designed to detect and differentiateH felis-OH andH felis-CA.Results—On the basis of PCR assay results, the overall prevalence ofH felisinfection was 19.5% (43/220). Suspect cats (28.0%; 23/82) were significantly more likely than control cats (14.5%; 20/138) to beH felisinfected. Significantly greater numbers of suspect cats wereH felis-OH infected (12.2%, 9/82) orH felis-OH andH felis-CA infected (4.9%, 4/82) than control cats (0% [0/138] and 0.7% [1/138], respectively). Significantly more anemic cats wereH felis-OH infected (14.3%; 4/28) orH felis-OH andH felis-CA infected (7.1%; 2/28) than nonanemic cats (2.3% [3/128] and 0.8% [1/128], respectively). The PCR assay was more accurate than cytologic examination for detection ofH felis.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Haemobartonella felisinfections are more common in cats than previously recognized.Haemobartonella felis-OH is apparently more pathogenic thanH felis-CA. The PCR assay is more accurate than cytologic examination for detection ofH felisinfection and is an effective clinical tool for the detection and differentiation of bothH felisstrains known to infect cats. (Am J Vet Res2001;62:604–608)