Description
Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living microorganisms and they belongs to genus of Gram negative, aerobic, pathogenic bacteria that have been isolated from many animal species. Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly known as Haemobartonella felis) and Mycoplasma haemocanis (formerly known as Haemobartonella canis) can attach to the surface of erythrocytes of cats and dogs. They lack a cell wall so they are not susceptible to a lot of commonly antibiotics. Mycoplasma haemofelis has a linear double stranded DNA genome of 1,16 Mb in length, whereas Mycoplasma haemocanis contains a single circular chromosome of approximately 1 Mb.
Clinical signs
Disease can have more phase of different severity. Most common clinical signs are tachypnea, depression, weakness, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, dehydration, icterus, and splenomegaly. Some cats/dogs having mild anemia and no clinical signs to cats/dogs having marked depression and severe anemia which can lead to death. M. haemofelis infection is suspected in cats with regenerative anemia, in which polychromasia and reticulocytosis are noted.
Transmission
The natural mode of transmission of feline and canine haemoplasmas has not been definitely elucidated. M. haemofelis has been transmitted by transfusion and oral administration of infected blood.
Diagnosis
We are using for detection quantitative real-time TaqMan PCR system.
