Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Clinic changes in cats infected with Mycoplasma in Mashhad Iran
By Shahtahmasbi, Esmaeel et al.·Published in Veterinary medicine and science·2026·Department of Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Investigation of Some Clinicopathologic Alterations in Cats Infected With Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum in Mashhad, Iran: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats in Iran were tested for infections caused by two types of blood-borne bacteria, Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum. Out of 100 cats, 65% showed signs of infection under a microscope, while 23% tested positive through a more precise method. The infected cats had noticeable changes in their blood counts and other health markers, which could indicate anemia or other health issues. The study found that male cats, especially those that roam outdoors and are of the domestic short hair breed, were more likely to be infected.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Data on feline hemotropic mycoplasmas is limited in Iran. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the infection rate of cats with this pathogen in Mashhad,Iran and evaluate its assosiation with cliniopathological changes. MATERIAS & METHODS: Blood samples from 100 cats presenting at veterinary clinics were analysed for Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm). Samples were screened for hemotropic mycoplasmas using microscopic examination and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Samples were also subjected to haematological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: Microscopic examination detected hemotropic mycoplasmas in 65% of samples, whereas PCR identified a 23% infection rate, with 65.21% (n = 15) positive for CMhm and 34.78% (n = 8) for Mhf. The presence of Haemomycoplasma DNA was significantly associated with age, gender, breed and roaming status (p < 0.05). Infected cats exhibited significant alterations (p < 0.05) in haematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB), white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil counts, serum total protein (TP), globulin, phosphorus (Pi), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and the albumin/globulin ratio (AGR). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights a high prevalence of feline hemoplasmosis in northeastern Iran, with CMhm as the predominant species. Key risk factors included male gender, adult, outdoor access and domestic short hair (DSH) breed. Although infected cats showed consistent clinicopathologic changes, no differences were observed between Mhf and CMhm infections.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42081195/