82
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
Mhf can vary in shape from cocci to rods and are sometimes present in chains on the cell surface.
Mhf can vary in shape from cocci to rods and are sometimes present in chains on the cell surface.
The mode of transmission of Mhf is poorly understood.
The mode of transmission of Mhf is poorly understood. It is thought that it may be transmitted through biting and fighting activities, although this has not been able to be demonstrated experimentally. AS transmission has been shown to occur through blood transfusion, it is recommended that blood donors been screened<sup>3</sup>.
==Signalment==
==Signalment==
The major group at risk for Mhf infection are male cats who spend time outdoors. In many areas of the world an association has been shown between Mhf and retroviral infections<sup>2</sup>. It has been demonstrated that cats infected with Mhf and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are likely to develop more severe anaemia that cats infected only with Mhf<sup>3</sup>.
The major group at risk for Mhf infection are young male cats who spend time outdoors. In many areas of the world an association has been shown between Mhf and retroviral infections<sup>2</sup>. It has been demonstrated that cats infected with Mhf and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) are likely to develop more severe anaemia that cats infected only with Mhf<sup>3</sup>.
==Pathogenesis==
==Pathogenesis==
Infected cats most commonly present for lethargy and decreased appetite. Physical examination findings are non-specific and can include signs of anaemia, such as mucous membrane pallor, tachypnoea and tachycardia, pyrexia and occasionally splenomagaly and [[Icterus|jaundice]]. Pyrexia is frequently intermittent and spikes when parasite numbers are highest <sup>3</sup>. The anaemia can be severe and rapidly fatal in some cases.
Infected cats most commonly present for lethargy and decreased appetite. Physical examination findings are non-specific and can include signs of anaemia, such as mucous membrane pallor, tachypnoea and tachycardia, pyrexia and occasionally splenomagaly and [[Icterus|jaundice]]. Pyrexia is frequently intermittent and spikes when parasite numbers are highest <sup>3</sup>. The anaemia can be severe and rapidly fatal in some cases.
==Differential diagnosis==
There are multiple causes of both regenerative and non-regenerative anaemia in cats which must be considered as differential diagnoses.
For cats showing signs of regeneration causes of blood loss or haemolysis must be considered:
*Primary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia
*Heinz body haemolytic anaemia
*Other infectious causes such as "Babesia felis" and "Cytauxzoon felis"
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The most commmon findings from complete blood counts from cats with Mhf infections are a marcocytic, hypochromic regenerative anaemia. Reticulocytes and Howell-Jolly bodies may be identified on cytologic examination.
The most commmon findings from complete blood counts from cats with Mhf infections are a marcocytic, hypochromic regenerative anaemia. Reticulocytes and Howell-Jolly bodies may be identified on cytologic examination.
Mhf infection can be definitvely diagnosed by identification of organisms on a blood smear, appearing as cocci or rods and sometimes forming short chains of organisms. However, the test is less than 50% sensitive <sup>5</sup> as the animal's immune response causes organisms to disappear from the blood stream for several days, often to reappear a few days later.
Mhf infection can be definitvely diagnosed by identification of organisms on a blood smear, appearing as cocci or rods and sometimes forming short chains of organisms. However, examination of a single blood smear is less than 50% sensitive <sup>5</sup> as the animal's immune response causes organisms to disappear from the blood stream for several days, often to reappear a few days later. It was found in one study that smears should be examined every four days over a minimum of three four day cycles<sup>5</sup>. As there could be eight days between presentation and diagnosis this is clearly not an ideal means of diagnosis. It also has the potential for misidentification.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
#Niemark H, Johansson KE, Rikihisa Y, et al (2001) Proposal to transfer some members of the genera ''Haemobartonella'' and ''Eperythrozoon'' to the genus ''Mycoplasma'' with descriptions of Candidatus ''Mycoplasma haemofelis'', Candidatus ''Mycoplasma haemomuris'', Candidatus ''Mycoplasma haemosuis'' and Candidatus ''Mycoplasma wenyonii'' '''Int J Sys Evol Microbiol 51(3) pp891-9
#Niemark H, Johansson KE, Rikihisa Y, et al (2001) Proposal to transfer some members of the genera ''Haemobartonella'' and ''Eperythrozoon'' to the genus ''Mycoplasma'' with descriptions of Candidatus ''Mycoplasma haemofelis'', Candidatus ''Mycoplasma haemomuris'', Candidatus ''Mycoplasma haemosuis'' and Candidatus ''Mycoplasma wenyonii'' '''Int J Sys Evol Microbiol 51(3) pp891-9
#Sykes, JE (2010) Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasmas '''Vet Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice''' pp. 1157-1170
#Sykes, JE (2010) Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasmas '''Vet Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice''' pp. 1157-1170
#Wardrop J, Reine N, Birkenheuer A et al (2005) Canine and feline blood donor screening for infectious disease '''J Vet Intern Med''' 19(1) pp.135-42
#Hagiwara, MK (2009) Anemia in Cats: Is It Mycoplasma? '''Proceedings of the 34th World Small Animal Veterinary Congress'''
#Hagiwara, MK (2009) Anemia in Cats: Is It Mycoplasma? '''Proceedings of the 34th World Small Animal Veterinary Congress'''
#Ettinger, S.J, Feldman, E.C. (2005) '''Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine''' (6th edition, volume 2)''W.B. Saunders Company''
#Ettinger, S.J, Feldman, E.C. (2005) '''Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine''' (6th edition, volume 2)''W.B. Saunders Company''