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

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.