Use of a PCR assay to assess the prevalence and risk factors for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' in cats in the United Kingdom

Vet Rec. 2003 Feb 15;152(7):193-8. doi: 10.1136/vr.152.7.193.

Abstract

Blood samples from 426 healthy and sick cats in the UK were tested in a PCR assay for 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' and Mycoplasma haemofelis (basonym Haemobartonella felis). Seventy-two of the cats (16.9 per cent) were positive for 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' alone, six (1.4 per cent) were positive for M. haemofelis alone and one (0.2 per cent) was positive for both. Logistic regression analysis indicated that older male cats were significantly more likely to be infected with 'Candidatus M. haemominutum', but there was no significant association between it and any of the haematological variables measured. M. haemofelis infection was uncommon in the anaemic cats sampled, and there were too few positive cases for multivariable analysis to be performed for M. haemofelis-positive status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cat Diseases / etiology
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cats
  • DNA Primers
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mycoplasma / classification
  • Mycoplasma / genetics*
  • Mycoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Mycoplasma Infections / epidemiology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / microbiology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / veterinary*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Substances

  • DNA Primers