Description of outcomes of experimental infection with feline haemoplasmas: Copy numbers, haematology, Coombs’ testing and blood glucose concentrations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare blood copy, haematological and glucose values between cats experimentally infected with either Mycoplasma haemofelis (Group HF: 10 cats), ‘Candidatus M. haemominutum’ (Group HM: 3 cats) or ‘Candidatus M. turicensis’ (Group TU: 3 cats). Blood samples were collected regularly up to 85 days post-infection (DPI) for haemoplasma real-time quantitative PCR, haematology, Coombs’ testing and blood glucose measurement. Statistical analysis was performed using a general linear model (ANOVA) appropriate for a repeated measures experiment with significance set as P < 0.05. Cats in Group TU had significantly lower blood copy numbers than cats in Group HF (P < 0.001) and HM (P < 0.001). All Group HF cats developed anaemia (often severe), macrocytosis and evidence of erythrocyte-bound antibodies whereas Groups HM and TU cats did not. Group HF had significantly lower PCVs, haemoglobin concentrations and red blood cell counts, and significantly higher mean cell volumes, than Groups HM and TU. In Group HF, erythrocyte-bound antibodies reactive at 4 °C (both IgM and IgG) appeared between 8 and 22 DPI and persisted for two to four weeks, whereas those reactive at 37 °C (primarily IgG) appeared between 22 and 29 DPI and persisted for one to five weeks. In most cats antibodies appeared after the fall in haemoglobin started. Although Group TU had significantly lower glucose concentrations than Groups HF (P = 0.006) and HM (P = 0.027), mean blood glucose concentrations remained within the reference range in all groups. This study demonstrates that M. haemofelis infection, in contrast to ‘Candidatus M. haemominutum’ and ‘Candidatus M. turicensis’ infection, can result in a severe macrocytic anaemia and the development of cold and warm reactive erythrocyte-bound antibodies.

Molecular detection of hemotrophic mycoplasmas among domiciled and free-roaming cats in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

“…'Candidatus M. haemominutum' and 'Candidatus M. turicensis' may cause anemia only when concurrent disease is present and/or a condition of immunosuppression. Anemia, which is frequently found in hemoplasma-infected cats, is manifested by weakness, mucosal pallor, tachycardia, tachypnea and, occasionally, syncope or neurological signs (TASKER et al, 2009;SYKES, 2010).…”

Estudo das infecções por hemoplasmas em cães e gatos domésticos

“…It has been stated that haemoplasma positive cats are more likely to be anaemic than negative cats (Lobetti and Tasker, 2004;Tasker et al, 2004Tasker et al, , 2009Willi et al, 2005), mainly during Mhf infection (Gentilini et al, 2009;Jenkins et al, 2013;Lobetti and Lappin, 2012;Lobetti and Tasker, 2004). However, our study as well as others Macieira et al, 2008;Martínez-Díaz et al, 2013;Spada et al, 2014;Wengi et al, 2008;Willi et al, 2006a) failed to demonstrate association between haemoplasma infection and anaemia.…”

“…Estudos anteriores observaram que gatos infectados por hemoplasmas tinham mais chances de serem anêmicos do que gatos negativos (Lobetti e Tasker, 2004;Tasker et al, 2004;Tasker et al, 2009;Willi et al, 2005), principalmente nas infecções por Mhf (Gentilini et al, 2009;Jenkins et al, 2013;Lobetti e Lappin, 2012;Lobetti e Tasker, 2004). Porém, o presente estudo, assim como outros Macieira et al, 2008;Martínez-Díaz et al, 2013;Spada et al, 2014;Wengi et al, 2008;Willi et al, 2006a) não encontrou associação entre infecção por hemoplasmas e anemia.…”

Genome Sequence for “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum,” a Low-Pathogenicity Hemoplasma Species

“…"Ca. Mycoplasma haemominutum" is the most prevalent of the feline-infecting hemoplasmas (10), and infection doesn't usually result in clinical disease in immunocompetent cats, but decreases in hematocrit have been reported (11,17).…”

“…Mycoplasma haemominutum" strain Birmingham 1 was purified from blood taken from an experimentally infected specific-pathogen-free cat at high parasitemia, as described previously (2). This low-passage strain, derived from a naturally infected cat (15), has been used in previous infection kinetics studies (9,14,16,17). Whole shotgun pyrosequencing was performed by generating a standard DNA library with a 3-kb insert size using the 454 library preparation kit (Roche Applied Sciences, Indianapolis, IN) and sequenced on a GS-FLX using Titanium chemistry (454 Life Sciences, Roche Applied Sciences).…”