First report of multiple infection by Anaplasma platys, Bartonella henselae, and hemoplasmas in clinically healthy domestic cats from Southern Brazil

Hemoparasitoses in domestic cats are increasingly recognized as a significant challenge for veterinary medicine and public health, not only because of their clinical impact but also due to their zoonotic potential. This study aimed to detect Anaplasma platys , Bartonella henselae , and hemotropic mycoplasmas ( Mycoplasma haemofelis and ‘ Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’) in clinically healthy cats from Pelotas, Southern Brazil, using molecular assays. A total of 151 blood samples collected between 2022 and 2024 were analyzed by conventional and nested PCR. Detection rates were 21.9% for A. platys, 15.2% for B. henselae , and 21.9% for hemoplasmas, with higher frequency of C Mhm (17.2%) compared to Mhf (4.0%). Coinfections occurred in 10.7% of the animals, including dual and triple associations, highlighting the complexity of host–pathogen interactions. The high occurrence of A. platys in cats, traditionally described in dogs, suggests a more important epidemiological role than previously recognized. The detection of B. henselae in asymptomatic animals reinforces the silent risk of zoonotic transmission in urban environments. Notably, this study provides the first report of multiple infection by B. henselae , A. platys , and C Mhm in a cat. These findings demonstrate that clinically healthy cats can simultaneously harbor multiple hemoparasites, underscoring the need for continuous molecular surveillance, vector control, and integrated One Health approaches to mitigate silent dissemination.