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Line 20: − The peracute disease is associated with severe anaemia and immunosuppression, and can be rapidly fatal. − Fever, anaemia, depression, weakness and [[Icterus|jaundice]] occur in the acute form. In the chronic form animals present with [[Regenerative and Non-Regenerative Anaemias|anaemia]], lethargy and weight loss.+ − − Cyclic fever may also occur during the transient period of parasitaemia. − − Recovery can occur with a regenerative bone marrow response, however severe anaemia may occur in the presence of [[Feline Leukaemia Virus|feline leukaemia virus]] (FeLV). − The best diagnostic test is a PCR, which is very sensitive and enables differentiation of the different species. − − The organism can also be diagnosed on blood smears. − The organism can be intermittently seen microscopically on the surface of red blood cells on Giemsa-stained blood smears. The organism stains blue and can look like rings or rods. − − Erythrophagocytosis may be evident and parasitised erythrocytes will become spherical. − − The organism must be differentiated from [[Regenerative and Non-Regenerative Anaemias|Howell-Jolly bodies]] and other parasites. Due to the cyclic parasitaemia the organism causes, negative blood smears will not rule out the disease. − Additionally [[Immunofluorescence]] of blood smears can demonstrate the organism.+ − Haematology will show a decreased packed cell volume and a low red blood cell count. The anaemia is usually regenerative. FeLV infection is associated with macrocytosis.+
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==Clinical signs==
==Clinical signs==
Infected cats most commonly present for lethargy and decreased appetite. Physical examination findings can include signs of anaemia, such as mucous membrane pallor, tachypnoea and tachycardia, elevated temperature and occasionally [[Icterus|jaundice]]. The anaemia can be severe and rapidly fatal in some cases.
==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.
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.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==