Cutaneous myiasis, hemoplasmosis, and bartonellosis in an apparently healthy domestic cat in Cartagena, Colombia: A case report .

Cats may have conditions that could favour trauma prone to infection by dipteran larvae and acquire zoonotic infections such as ectoparasitic infestations and hemotropic microorganisms. We present the first report in Cartagena, Colombia, of a clinical case of a domestic cat with no prior reported history of diseases with findings of cutaneous myiasis and suspected infection by hemotropic agents. The cat presented hemodynamic instability, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. Blood count revealed bacteraemia, and non-regenerative anaemia. The metabolic profile showed increased azote and amylase, hypocalcaemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Blood parasite microscopy (Wright staining) arrived, reporting forms compatible with Mycoplasma spp. and the diagnosis was confirmed by multiplex PCR co-infection with Mycoplasma spp, Candidatus spp, and Bartonella spp. Surgical removal and antibiotic therapy with doxycycline (10 mg/kg/day for 30 days), liver protector multivitamin, mineral, glucose supplement and topical application of Clotrimazole conjugate, Neomycin, Betamethasone, zinc oxide, with Lidocaine was indicated. Facial reconstruction was performed using a direct closure technique. Infections caused by dipteran larvae and hemotropic microorganisms should be considered due to the high possibility of zoonosis and risk of severe disease in companion animals. Molecular epidemiology studies are needed to show the prevalence of these diseases in the area where the clinical case study was conducted.