Microscopic examination and molecular characterization of tick-borne blood protozoa in domestic cats in shelters in Ankara

Mert Arslanbas; Anil Yilmaz; Ömer Orkun; Serpil Nalbantoğlu

doi:10.33988/auvfd.1780265

Microscopic examination and molecular characterization of tick-borne blood protozoa in domestic cats in shelters in Ankara

Abstract

Ticks are important vectors that transmit viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens and cause diseases in vertebrates. The epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens in cats has been less well investigated than in dogs, and the role of cats in this epidemiology is only partially understood. The main tick‑borne protozoa reported in cats include species of Babesia, Hepatozoon, and Cytauxzoon. The aim of this study was to investigate tick-borne blood protozoa in 200 domestic cats in Ankara province of Turkey. Blood and tick samples were collected from each animal. Of 200 cats examined, 6 (3%) were found positive for Hepatozoon spp., and two different haplotypes were identified. Hepatozoon gamonts were observed in 1% of blood smears. In conclusion, the species and haplotypes present in the region were identified and compared with those found worldwide. These data provided molecular characterization of the relevant pathogens and revealed potential risks to domestic cats.

Keywords

Project Number

TDK-2022-2322

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Parasitology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mert Arslanbas ^*
0000-0002-9307-4441
Türkiye

Anil Yilmaz
0000-0003-4903-3527
Türkiye

Ömer Orkun
0000-0002-4478-2521
Türkiye

Serpil Nalbantoğlu
0000-0002-9670-7566
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

December 2, 2025

Publication Date

January 1, 2026

Submission Date

September 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 5, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 73 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1780265

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA99CB33RW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Arslanbas, M., Yilmaz, A., Orkun, Ö., & Nalbantoğlu, S. (2026). Microscopic examination and molecular characterization of tick-borne blood protozoa in domestic cats in shelters in Ankara. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 73(1), 77-82. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1780265

AMA

1.Arslanbas M, Yilmaz A, Orkun Ö, Nalbantoğlu S. Microscopic examination and molecular characterization of tick-borne blood protozoa in domestic cats in shelters in Ankara. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73(1):77-82. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1780265

Chicago

Arslanbas, Mert, Anil Yilmaz, Ömer Orkun, and Serpil Nalbantoğlu. 2026. “Microscopic Examination and Molecular Characterization of Tick-Borne Blood Protozoa in Domestic Cats in Shelters in Ankara”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 (1): 77-82. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1780265.

EndNote

Arslanbas M, Yilmaz A, Orkun Ö, Nalbantoğlu S (January 1, 2026) Microscopic examination and molecular characterization of tick-borne blood protozoa in domestic cats in shelters in Ankara. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 1 77–82.

IEEE

[1]M. Arslanbas, A. Yilmaz, Ö. Orkun, and S. Nalbantoğlu, “Microscopic examination and molecular characterization of tick-borne blood protozoa in domestic cats in shelters in Ankara”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 77–82, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1780265.

ISNAD

Arslanbas, Mert - Yilmaz, Anil - Orkun, Ömer - Nalbantoğlu, Serpil. “Microscopic Examination and Molecular Characterization of Tick-Borne Blood Protozoa in Domestic Cats in Shelters in Ankara”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73/1 (January 1, 2026): 77-82. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1780265.

JAMA

1.Arslanbas M, Yilmaz A, Orkun Ö, Nalbantoğlu S. Microscopic examination and molecular characterization of tick-borne blood protozoa in domestic cats in shelters in Ankara. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73:77–82.

MLA

Arslanbas, Mert, et al. “Microscopic Examination and Molecular Characterization of Tick-Borne Blood Protozoa in Domestic Cats in Shelters in Ankara”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 73, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 77-82, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1780265.

Vancouver

1.Mert Arslanbas, Anil Yilmaz, Ömer Orkun, Serpil Nalbantoğlu. Microscopic examination and molecular characterization of tick-borne blood protozoa in domestic cats in shelters in Ankara. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Jan. 1;73(1):77-82. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1780265