# Detection of pathogens within Ixodid ticks collected from domestic cats across the USA

## TL;DR

This study found that ticks collected from domestic cats in the USA can carry pathogens, suggesting cats may contribute to the spread of tick-borne diseases.

## Contribution

This is the largest survey of pathogens in ticks collected from domestic cats in the USA, with added clinical data retrieval.

## Key findings

- Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. was the most prevalent pathogen detected in Ixodes scapularis ticks.
- Cats infested with ticks were found to be at risk for exposure to tick-borne pathogens.
- No clear link was found between pathogen exposure and clinical signs in cats.

## Abstract

Ixodid ticks and tick-borne diseases continue to be an emerging health concern in the USA. Companion animals dwell in close proximity with people; therefore, it is important to understand how they might contribute to the maintenance of tick-borne pathogens, especially zoonoses, in the peri-domestic environment. Domestic cats are often overlooked in epidemiological investigations of tick-borne infections compared with their canine counterparts.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential exposure of domestic cats to tick-borne pathogens by molecularly testing adult Ixodid ticks collected from cats that were presented for veterinary care. A total of 802 ticks collected from 512 individual cats were tested by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ticks were morphologically identified as Ixodes scapularis (n = 431), Amblyomma americanum (n = 218), and Dermacentor variabilis (n = 153).

The most prevalent pathogen detected was Borrelia burgdorferi s.s., detected in 19.5% of I. scapularis. Ehrlichia ewingii was detected in 3.2% of A. americanum. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 0.7% of I. scapularis. Cytauxzoon felis was detected in 0.5% of A. americanum. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected in 0.2% of I. scapularis. Submitting clinics were contacted to gather additional information on cats infested by pathogen-infected ticks. This information did not yield a meaningful relationship between potential pathogen exposure and development of clinical signs around the time of tick collection.

This study is the largest survey for pathogens within Ixodid ticks collected from domestic cats in the USA and the only survey in which retrospective clinical information was retrieved. While the effect of many tick-borne pathogens on feline health remains unclear, this study demonstrates that cats infested with ticks are at risk for pathogen exposure and may be a source for harboring pathogen-infected ticks in and around the home.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-025-06902-z.