Retrospective analysis of the spread of cat chlamydia and features of its treatment with a drug based on azithromycin

Abstract

The Chlamydiales order bacteria are eukaryotic cells obligate intracellular parasites. The major purpose of the research was to study the prevalence, clinical progression and treatment of Chlamydia in cats with an azithromycin-based drug. A total of 3,388 samples for chlamydia were studied in 2019, of which 243 proved to be positive. Chlamydia was diagnosed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The Azithronit drug was administered 0.5 ml per animal, 1 time per day, for 7 days. Hematological parameters were determined using the IDEXX Laser Cyte hematological analyzer, while the biochemical parameters were determined using the IDEXX Catalist analyzer (USA). In Moscow, chlamydial infection plays a significant role in the cats inflammatory eye diseases etiology. The overall infection rate of the Moscow cat population totalled 7.2%. In young animals, the incidence was higher (28.3%) than in adults (19.5%). In terms of gender, the incidence of chlamydia in female cats (56%) was higher than in males (44%). The main forms of chlamydia manifestations were those of purulent and serous conjunctivitis - 69.8% and 20.5%, respectively, keratitis - 8.7%. The treatment with azithromycin-based drugs requires only a single daily administration for 7 days to ensure the clinical signs elimination.