Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat immune response to experimental Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis
By Novacco, Marilisa et al.·Published in Veterinary microbiology·2012·Vetsuisse Faculty·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Humoral immune response to a recombinant hemoplasma antigen in experimental 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' infection.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 15 cats was studied to understand how their immune systems responded to an infection caused by a bacteria called 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis,' which can lead to hemolytic anemia (a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made). The researchers used a test called ELISA to measure the antibodies in the cats' blood, finding that all cats developed antibodies that lasted for a long time. They discovered that giving a steroid called methylprednisolone increased antibody levels, while an antibiotic called doxycycline helped reduce them. This study suggests that the ELISA test is a valuable tool for monitoring immune responses in cats with this type of infection.
People also search for: cat hemolytic anemia treatment · Mycoplasma turicensis in cats · doxycycline for cat infections
Abstract
'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' is a feline hemoplasma species that was isolated in a cat with hemolytic anemia. PCR has been widely used to investigate and diagnose 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' infection, but so far, little is known about the humoral immune response in infected cats. Recently, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were developed to monitor anti-feline hemoplasma antibodies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the humoral immune response in cats experimentally infected with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' and to monitor the influence of the pre-administration of methylprednisolone and subsequent antibiotic treatment. Serum and plasma samples from 15 specified pathogen-free cats infected with 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' were analyzed by ELISA. Seroconversion was demonstrated in all cats, and the antibodies remained detectable until the end of the study (up to 100 weeks post-exposure). In some cats, the ELISA seemed more sensitive and better able to demonstrate exposure to 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' than PCR. The peak antibody level occurred after the peak of the bacterial blood loads. The methylprednisolone administrations were associated with increased antibody levels, while antibiotic treatment, particularly with doxycycline, resulted in a decrease in antibody levels. Additionally, preliminary data indicated that three of four seropositive cats were protected from bacteremia after a subsequent challenge. In conclusion, the ELISA was found to be a useful tool to investigate the humoral immune response in hemoplasma-infected cats and a desirable addition to PCR to study the pathogenesis of hemoplasma infections.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22281029/