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Also known as: '''''Haemobartonellosis'''''
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Previously known as: '''Haemobartonellosis'''
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Caused by: '''''Mycoplasma haemofelis''''' also known as '''''Haemobartonella felis'''''
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Caused by: '''Mycoplasma haemofelis''' , previously known as '''Haemobartonella felis'''
{{Taxobox
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|name = ''Mycoplasma haemofelis''
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|phylum = Firmicutes
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|class = Mollicutes
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|order = Mycoplasmatales
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|family = Mycoplasmataceae
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|genus = [[:Category:Mycoplasmas|Mycoplasma]]
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|species = ''M.haemofelis''
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}}
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==Description==
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An infectious disease of the cat caused by ''Mycoplasma haemofelis'' which until recently was known as ''Haemobartonella felis''. It is a species of the ''[[Mycoplasmas species - Overview|Mycoplasmas]]'' genus which causes Feline Infectious Anaemia.
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The organism is found on the surface of [[Erythrocytes|erythrocytes]] and is considered an opportunistic infection that causes illness following predisposing factors. It is possible to be transmitted via bite wounds, biting arthropods, via blood transfusions and from a queen to her kittens. The organism causes a cyclic parasitaemia in affected cats and infected animals, despite mounting an immune response, will become carriers of the organism.
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==Introduction==
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Feline Infectious Anaemia, caused by '''Mycoplasma haemofelis''' (Mhf), is a regenerative anaemia of cats. The disease occurs worldwide and should be considered as a differential diagnosis for any cat presenting with anaemia.
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==Aetiology==
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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. Two other haemotropic mycoplasmas (“Candidatus M. haemominutum” and “Candidatus M. turicensis”) have been identified in cats but appear to be less pathogenic<sup>1</sup>.
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The mode of transmission of Mhf is poorly understood.
    
==Signalment==
 
==Signalment==
Almost half of the cats infected have concurrent [[Feline Leukaemia Virus|Feline Leukaemia Virus]] (FeLV).
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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>1</sup>.
 
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The disease is common in roaming Tom cats 1-3 years old.
      
==Clinical signs==
 
==Clinical signs==
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