Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

Histopathological and Molecular Investigation of Chlamydia felis Infection in Cat Uterus Underwent Ovariohysterectomy Surgery

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Monireh Khordadmehr 1
Faeghehossadat Mousavi 1
Katayoon Nofouzi 1
Karine Laroucau 2
Farinaz Jigari Asl 1
Moein Zehtab Najafi 1
Seyed Hossein Jarolmasjed 3
1 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
2 Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Maisons-Alfort, France.
3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
10.30500/ivsa.2025.500762.1435
Abstract
Veterinary surgeons frequently encounter zoonotic diseases and the associated risks of transmission during the surgical treatment of animals. Chlamydia (C.) felis, a bacterium with zoonotic potential commonly found in cats, has been associated with reproductive disorders; however, its effects on uterine health remain poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate C. felis infection in cats referred to veterinary clinics in Tabriz and Tehran using molecular and histopathological techniques. Uterine samples were collected from 50 cats undergoing hysterectomy and divided into two parts: one was fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histopathological analysis, and the other was processed for DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A conventional PCR assay using C. felis-specific primers was used, and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for microscopic evaluation. PCR analysis revealed C. felis infection in 3 of 50 samples (6%). Non-specific histopathological findings included varying degrees of edema, hyperemia, hemorrhage, inflammation, necrosis, fibrosis, cyst formation and endometrial hyperplasia, with lesions ranging from mild to severe. These results highlight the potential role of C. felis in uterine pathology and underline the need for surveillance of this zoonotic agent in domestic cats in Iran.
Keywords
Chlamydia felis
Cat
PCR
Infection
Zoonotic aspect
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery
Volume 20, Issue 2 - Serial Number 43
October 2025
Pages 116-121

  • Receive Date 19 January 2025
  • Revise Date 28 February 2025
  • Accept Date 05 April 2025
  • First Publish Date 05 April 2025