Changes

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

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<ref name="Sykes">. 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 Mhf³.  

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<ref name="Sykes"></ref>. 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 <ref name="Wardrop"></ref>.  

==Pathogenesis==

==Pathogenesis==

The pathogenesis of Mhf is not fully understood. It is thought that the presence of the parasite on the surface of the red blood cells may induce antibody production⁴. The anaemia, which is primarily extravascular, may be due to direct damage of erythrocytes by the organism or as a result of the antibodies produced by the infected animal <ref name="Wardrop">.

The pathogenesis of Mhf is not fully understood. It is thought that the presence of the parasite on the surface of the red blood cells may induce antibody production⁴. The anaemia, which is primarily extravascular, may be due to direct damage of erythrocytes by the organism or as a result of the antibodies produced by the infected animal <ref name="Wardrop"></ref>.

==Clinical signs==

==Clinical signs==

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 ⁵ as the animal's immune response causes organisms to disappear from the blood stream for several days, often to reappear a few days later. One study found that smears should be examined every four days over a minimum of three four day cycles⁵, making it possible to have eight days between presentation and diagnosis - clearly not ideal. It also has the potential for misidentification of organisms.  

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 <ref name="Hagiwara"> Hagiwara, MK (2009) Anemia in Cats: Is It Mycoplasma? '''Proceedings of the 34th World Small Animal Veterinary Congress'''</ref> as the animal's immune response causes organisms to disappear from the blood stream for several days, often to reappear a few days later. One study found that smears should be examined every four days over a minimum of three four day cycles⁵, making it possible to have eight days between presentation and diagnosis - clearly not ideal. It also has the potential for misidentification of organisms.