Feline babesiosis

Objective – To review and summarize current information regarding the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of feline babesiosis, especially with regard to features distinct from canine babesiosis.
Etiology – Babesiosis is caused by hemoprotozoa of the genus Babesia . Numerous species of Babesia exist worldwide. The babesial organism spends the majority of its life cycle within the erythrocyte of the definitive host, resulting in hemolysis, with or without systemic complications.
Diagnosis – Definitive diagnosis depends on direct visualization of the organism on blood smear or a positive polymerase chain reaction. Positive serologic tests indicate only exposure, with or without active infection.
Therapy – Antiprotozoal drugs and supportive care are the mainstays of therapy. Primaquine phosphate is considered the treatment of choice in cats.
Prognosis – Prognosis depends on the severity of disease, which in turn depends on both organism and host factors. Mortality rates of 15–20% are reported.     

Feline chlamydiosis

Chlamydiae are an important cause of acute and chronic conjunctivitis in cats. Until recently, only one organism was thought to infect cats, Chlamydophila felis (previously Chlamydia psittaci var. felis). Recently, other Chlamydia-like organisms belonging to the family Parachlamydiaceae, which comprises organisms that reside and proliferate within free-living amoeba, have been identified in cats with neutrophilic and eosinophilic conjunctivitis. The relative importance of these organisms and their amoebic hosts requires investigation. There is also weak evidence that chlamydiae may also be capable of causing reproductive tract disease and lameness in cats. Diagnosis of chlamydial conjunctivitis requires use of specialized culture techniques or the polymerase chain reaction. The antibiotic of choice to treat these infections is doxycycline; azithromycin is less effective. All cats in the household should be treated simultaneously. The zoonotic potential of these organisms appears low, but some precaution is warranted when handling affected cats.