Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diagnosis of feline haemoplasma infection using a real-time PCR assay.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Lobetti, R G & Tasker, S
- Affiliation:
- Bryanston Veterinary Hospital
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
In a study involving 78 cats from Johannesburg, researchers tested for infections caused by two types of bacteria known as feline haemoplasmas, which can affect a cat's blood. All the cats had been diagnosed with this infection through blood tests. The results showed that more than half of the cats did not have the infection, while some were positive for one or both types of haemoplasma. Cats that tested positive for one type, called Mycoplasma haemofelis, had specific blood issues, including low red blood cell counts and other abnormalities. This study confirms that both types of these bacteria are present in cats in South Africa.
Abstract
Haemobartonella felis has been reclassified within the genus Mycoplasma as Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', collectively referred to as the feline haemoplasmas. A total of 78 cats from the Johannesburg area that had blood samples submitted to a private veterinary laboratory were tested using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay able to detect and distinguish the two feline haemoplasma (basonym Haemobartonella) species. All samples had been diagnosed with haemoplasma infection by cytological examination of blood smears. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate associations between haemoplasma status, age, and haematological and biochemical parameters. On PCR assay 43 cats (55%) were haemoplasma negative, 25 (32.1%) positive for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', 5 (6.4%) positive for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 5 (6.4%) positive for both species. Significant inverse correlation was found between the amount of M. haemofelis DNA present in the blood and the haematocrit value. Cats that were positive for M. haemofelis showed macrocytic regenerative anaemia, monocytosis and thrombocytopaenia. This report documents the existence of both haemoplasma species in cats in South Africa.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15456166/