On a piroplasm of the Sudanese wild cat (Felis ocreata)

Abstract

A non-pigmented intracorpuscular parasite of the Sudanese wild cat, Felis ocreata has been described. It is a small rounded organism multiplying by means of division into four by cross arrangement. For this parasite the name Babesia felis (n.sp.) is proposed. The parasite is readily transmissible to the domestic cat by means of blood inoculation. The progress of infection in inoculated cats follows a constant but benign course. Splenectomy prior to, or at any time after, inoculation results in an intense infection characterized by anæmia and hæmoglobinuria. Schizonts were searched for in the internal organs but were never found.