Evaluation of haemobartonellosis in pet cats in Ahvaz, Iran

Mycoplasma haemofelis is the cause of infectious anemia among cats. Due to the asymptomatic nature of hemobartonella in the initial stage, the present study aimed to evaluate the incidence of hemobartonellosis and its related factors in domestic cats in Ahvaz, Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the development of hemobartonella in 120 domestic cats referred to veterinary centers in Ahvaz city within 2021-2022. Factors, such as age, gender, race, castration, domesticity, and reasons for referring to the veterinary centers, as well as laboratory data of cats infected with hemobartonella infection, were compared with those of non-infected cats. The prevalence of hemobartonellosis in domestic cats in Ahvaz city was estimated at 13.3% (16 cases). The mean age of cats with hemobartonellosis was higher than those without hemobartonellosis (Z=-2.75, P=0.006). Lethargy and anorexia were the predominant reasons of referred to the veterinary centers among hemobartonellosis-infected cats (43.8%), followed by fever and neurological disorders (25%). No significant difference was found in terms of white blood cells (Z=-0.98, P=0.32), mean cell volume (Z=-1.17, P=0.24), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (Z=-0.34, P=0.73), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (Z=-2.17, P=0.29). However, the levels of red cell distribution width (Z=-2.21, P=0.02) and red blood cell (Z=-4.57, P<0.005) were lower in cats infected with hemobartonellosis than in healthy cats. According to the results of the present study, the incidence rate of hemobartonellosis was 13.3% among domestic cats in Ahvaz city. Age was found the most important factor in the development of hemobartonellosis in domestic cats. Therefore, it is recommended to perform periodic monitoring of red blood cell counts through regular blood tests in older cats.