Domestic cats are susceptible to infection with at least 11 species of Babesia.In Hong Kong, where dogs are commonly infected with B.gibsoni, a single infection in a cat by a novel species, B.
hongkongensis, was reported previously.The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of Babesia spp.detection in cats in Hong Kong.
Residual blood-derived DNA from healthy free-roaming community cats (n = 239), and privately-owned cats with and without anaemia undergoing diagnostic investigations (n = 125) was tested for Babesia spp.DNA using a pan-Babesia PCR targeting mitochondrial TRUFFLES Cytochrome B, and a B.hongkongensis CEREMONIAL MATCHA specific PCR targeting 18S rRNA.
Positive samples were confirmed by sequencing and comparative sequence analysis against the GenBank nucleotide database.Babesia hongkongensis was detected in 4/239 (1.7 %) community cats, and 0/125 (0.
0 %) privately-owned cats.Babesia gibsoni was detected in 0/239 community cats and 1/125 (0.8 %) privately-owned cats.
Cats infected with B.hongkongensis were clinically healthy at the time of sampling.The B.
gibsoni-infected cat was anaemic and thrombocytopenic.Cats in Hong Kong can be infected with B.hongkongensis and B.
gibsoni, albeit at low frequency.The tick vector for B.hongkongensis is yet to be identified.