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==Aetiology==
==Aetiology==
Mhf is one of a group of organisms known as haemotropic mycoplasmas which infect several other domestic animal species. The causative organism was previously called Haemobartonella felis and thus the disease was known as haemobartonellosis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays allowing DNA analysis resulted in the reclassification of the organism in 2001<sup>1</sup>. Two other haemotropic mycoplasmas (''Candidatus M. haemominutum'' and ''Candidatus M. turicensis'') have been identified in cats but appear to be less pathogenic<sup>2</sup>.
Mhf is one of a group of organisms known as haemotropic mycoplasmas which infect several other domestic animal species. The causative organism was previously called Haemobartonella felis and thus the disease was known as haemobartonellosis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays allowing DNA analysis resulted in the reclassification of the organism in 2001<sup>1</sup>. Two other haemotropic mycoplasmas (''Candidatus M. haemominutum'' and ''Candidatus M. turicensis'') have been identified in cats but appear to be less pathogenic<sup>2</sup>.
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.
==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 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==
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 production<sup>4</sup>. 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 <sup>2</sup>.
==Clinical signs==
==Clinical signs==
#Niemark
#Niemark
#Sykes, JE (2010) Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasmas '''Vet Clinics of North America Small Animal''' pp. 1157-1170
#Sykes, JE (2010) Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasmas '''Vet Clinics of North America Small Animal''' pp. 1157-1170
#Hagiwara, MK (2009) Anemia in Cats: Is It Mycoplasma? '''Proceedings of the 34th World Small
#Hagiwara, MK (2009) Anemia in Cats: Is It Mycoplasma? '''Proceedings of the 34th World Small Animal Veterinary Congress'''
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''
Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Eighth Edition) ''Merial''
Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual''' (Eighth Edition) ''Merial''