Survival ofMycoplasma haemofelisand ‘CandidatusMycoplasma haemominutum’ in blood of cats used for transfusions

Abstract

Blood transfusions are commonly administered to cats; associated risks include the transmission of various infectious diseases including Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (Mhm). Blood transfusions in citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) solution are commonly administered immediately or stored for up to 1 month prior to administration. It is unknown whether Mhf or Mhm survive in this solution or temperature. The purpose of this study was to determine if Mhf or Mhm remain viable after storage in CPDA-1 for varying periods of time. The results provide evidence that transmission of hemoplasmas to naïve cats occurs after administration of infected feline blood that has been stored in CPDA-1 solution for 1h (Mhf) and 1 week (Mhm). These findings support the recommendation that cats used as blood donors be screened for Mhf and Mhm infections by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay prior to use.

Frequency and hematological alterations of different hemoplasma infections with retrovirusis co-infections in domestic cats from Brazil

“…The frequency of hemoplasma infections observed in both groups wasn't different, but higher than the prevalence previously reported in North America (19.7 to 22.7%) (Gary et al 2006) and similar to the rates detected in European cats (28 to 30%) (Criado-Fornelio et al 2003). However, the higher frequency of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (47%) over Mycoplasma haemofelis (35.3%) in cats from urban areas was the opposite found in Great Britain, where 66% of hemoplasma positive cats were infected by Mycoplasma haemofelis and 33% by Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum.…”

Prevalence of Haemoplasma Infections in Stray Cats in Northern Italy

“…Feline haemoplasmas can be directly transmitted by intravenous infusion of fresh EDTA-anticoagulated blood [26], heparinized blood [4], and by infusion of blood stored in CPDA-1 solution for 1 h (Mhf) and 1 week (CMhm) [27]. Cats do not reliably eliminate the organism following infection [26] and most infections with CMhm are chronic and asymptomatic [1].…”

“…Direct transmission, by aggressive interaction of cats, or interspecies transmission might play a role in the epidemiology of these organisms. In addition, haemoplasmas can be directly transmitted through intravenous infusion of infected blood [4, 26] and have been shown to survive for up to 1 week in stored blood products [27]. As administration of fresh or stored whole blood becoming more common in feline medicine, the knowledge of the regional prevalence of blood transmitted pathogens in owned and stray cats that share the same environment and parasites is increasingly important.…”

Blood Transfusion and Blood Substitutes

“…An American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement, developed by a committee consisting of members of the Infectious Disease Study Group and the Association of Veterinary Hematology and Transfusion Medicine should serve as the guideline for donor screening. 33,49 Potential donor cats should be screened for FeLV and FIV. 31 124 Dogs should not donate if they are ill or have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea; using donors with these clinical signs has resulted in Yersinia enterocolitica contamination of human units of blood.…”