Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Acute phase protein changes in cats with hemoplasma infection
By Vilhena, Hugo et al.·Published in Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases·2018·Department of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Acute phase proteins response in cats naturally infected by hemotropic mycoplasmas.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 48 cats with hemoplasma infections (a type of blood infection) showed changes in certain proteins in their blood that can indicate illness. Cats that were sick had higher levels of haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), while their albumin levels were lower compared to healthy cats. Even cats that didn't show symptoms had higher Hp levels than healthy cats, suggesting they might still be affected. These findings indicate that if your cat has signs of illness and abnormal blood protein levels, hemoplasmosis could be a potential cause, even if they seem healthy.
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Abstract
Information about the acute phase proteins (APP) response in cats naturally infected with hemoplasmas and in cats co-infected with different species of hemoplasmas is lacking. This study evaluated serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and albumin in 48 cats naturally infected with hemoplasmas, including 25 with Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and 23 co-infected with different hemoplasmas agents; and in 10 healthy control cats. Infected cats had significantly higher Hp and lower albumin than controls. Symptomatic cats had significantly higher SAA and Hp, and lower albumin than asymptomatic animals, and also than controls. Asymptomatic cats had significantly higher Hp than controls. Concentrations of APP were not significantly different between single infected and co-infected cats. According with these results, hemoplasmosis should be considered when alterations in APP are detected in diseased cats with compatible clinical signs. Furthermore, a subclinical infection should be considered in apparently healthy cats from endemic areas with increased Hp.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29406276/