Research overview: Hepatozoon infections in lions and other wild felids

Hepatozoon is a tick-associated protozoan parasite, transmitted not by tick bite but by ingestion of infected ticks, that commonly infects wild felids including lions. This overview surveys the biology of Hepatozoon in cats, its frequently subclinical course, and the circumstances under which it may contribute to disease, particularly alongside other infections or stressors. It examines the unusual transmission route, the diversity of Hepatozoon species across felids, and molecular surveys documenting its prevalence. The synthesis connects this hemoparasite to the broader community of blood parasites that wild cats carry. It aims to give readers insight into a widespread but understudied felid parasite, illustrating how predators acquire infections through their grooming and feeding behavior and how such parasites generally persist quietly within their hosts.