Vector-borne infectious pathogens in cats in Germany

Blood-feeding arthropods such as fleas, ticks, sandflies and mosquitoes can transmit bacterial, parasitic and viral infectious pathogens to both domestic animals and wildlife. Vector-borne infections are gaining significance in Germany, not only due to the increasing import of pets from abroad as well as national and international travel of owners with their pets, but also due to the changing climate in Europe. Cats in Germany may show clinical signs after natural infection with some pathogens such as haemotropic Mycoplasma, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp. and Cytauxzoon sp. The clinical significance of other pathogens as Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp. and tick-borne encephalitis-virus (TBE-virus) is still unclear in cats. If cats are imported to Germany from endemic countries, additional vector-borne infectious agents as e. g. Leishmania spp., Ehrlichia spp., Dirofilaria spp. and Hepatozoon spp. should additionally be considered. The clinical significance of most of these pathogens is still unknown. Both direct and indirect detection methods are available for diagnostic purposes. Variable and unspecific clinical signs, long incubation periods of some pathogens and coinfections with other pathogens can lead to difficulties in diagnosis and management of such infections. An anamnesis should include a detailed account of any time spent in endemic regions, and the owners should be informed about any possible vector-borne infections. Additionally, blood transfusions may pose a risk of infection. Therefore, cats should be screened for vector-borne infectious agents (especially haemotropic Mycoplasma spp.) before donating blood. Furthermore, some vector-borne infectious pathogens as Leishmania spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Anaplasma spp. and Dirofilaria spp. have zoonotic potential. Continuous uninterrupted ectoparasitic prophylaxis is recommended in cats in Germany due to the rising risk of vector-borne pathogen contact.