Feline hemotropic mycoplasmas.

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Feline hemotropic mycoplasmas.

 

J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2010 Feb 1;20(1):62-9.

 

Feline hemotropic mycoplasmas.

 

Sykes JE.

 

Department of Medicine & Epidemiology, University of California -

Davis, Davis, CA 95618.

 

Objective- To describe the current understanding of the etiology,

pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of feline hemotropic

mycoplasmosis (feline infectious anemia). Data Sources-

Manuscripts published on hemotropic mycoplasmosis in cats and

other animal species, based on a search of PubMed using the

search terms

'hemoplasmas,''haemoplasmas,''hemotropic,''haemotropic,' and

'Haemobartonella,'

as well as references published within manuscripts accessed.

Human Data

Synthesis- Although hemotropic bacteria such as Bartonella

bacilliformis have been recognized in humans for over 100 years,

it has only been in recent years that some of these have been

identified as hemotropic mycoplasmas. Veterinary Data Synthesis-

Three species of hemotropic mycoplasmas have been documented in

cats worldwide, Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma

turicensis,' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum.' These

organisms were previously known as Haemobartonella felis, but are

now known to be mycoplasmas. M. haemofelis is the most pathogenic

species, and causes anemia in immunocompetent cats. Although

'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma

haemominutum' may be more capable of causing anemia in

immunosuppressed cats, their pathogenicity remains controversial.

Assays based on polymerase chain reaction technology are the most

sensitive and specific diagnostic tests available for these

organisms, because they remain uncultivable in the laboratory

setting. Blood smears are unreliable for diagnosis of

hemoplasmosis because of their lack of sensitivity and

specificity. Conclusions- Cats presenting to emergency/critical

care specialists with hemolytic anemia should be tested using

polymerase chain reaction assays for hemotropic mycoplasmas

before instituting antimicrobial therapy. Positive test results

for M. haemofelis suggest involvement of this organism in

hemolytic anemia. Other differential diagnoses for hemolytic

anemia should be considered in cats testing positive for

'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma

haemominutum,' because the presence of these organisms is not

always associated with anemia.

 

Blood from infected cats should be handled with care because of

the potential zoonotic nature of this infection.

 

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PMID: 20230435 [PubMed - in process]