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==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 production<ref name="Hagiwara"></ref>. 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>.
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<ref name="Hagiwara"></ref>. 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>.
Cats can produce an immune response which results in the disappearance of organisms and an increase in haematocrit.
It is thought that recovered cats can become subclinical carriers, with the potential for the disease to recrudesce if the animal is in a stressed state eg pregnancy, illness. (69)
==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 <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 cycles<ref name="Ettinger>Ettinger, S.J, Feldman, E.C. (2005) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (6th edition, volume 2)W.B. Saunders Company</ref>, 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 cycles<ref name="Ettinger>Ettinger, S.J, Feldman, E.C. (2005) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (6th edition, volume 2)W.B. Saunders Company</ref>, making it possible to have eight days between presentation and diagnosis. It also has the potential for misidentification of organisms.