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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2005, p. 2581-2585, Vol. 43, No. 6
0095-1137/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.43.6.2581-2585.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Identification, Molecular Characterization, and Experimental Transmission of a New Hemoplasma Isolate from a Cat with Hemolytic Anemia in Switzerland

Barbara Willi,1 Felicitas S. Boretti,2 Valentino Cattori,1 Séverine Tasker,3 Marina L. Meli,1 Claudia Reusch,2 Hans Lutz,1 and Regina Hofmann-Lehmann1*

Clinical Laboratory,1 Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland,2 School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS40 5DU, United Kingdom3

Received 22 November 2004/ Returned for modification 5 December 2004/ Accepted 13 February 2005

Recently, there has been a growing interest in hemotropic mycoplasmal species (also known as the hemoplasmas), the causative agents of infectious anemia in several mammalian species. In felids, two different hemoplasma species have been recognized: Mycoplasma haemofelis (formerly Haemobartonella felis) and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum." Recently developed molecular methods have allowed sensitive and specific identification and quantification of these agents in feline blood samples. In applying these methods to an epidemiological study surveying the Swiss pet cat population for hemoplasma infection, we discovered a third novel and unique feline hemoplasma isolate in a blood sample collected from a cat that had exhibited clinical signs of severe hemolytic anemia. This agent was readily transmitted via intravenous inoculation to two specific-pathogen-free cats. One of these cats was immunocompromised by the administration of methylprednisolone acetate prior to inoculation, and this cat developed severe anemia. The other immunocompetent cat showed a moderate decrease in packed cell volume. Additionally, an increase in red blood cell osmotic fragility was observed. Sequencing of the entire 16S rRNA gene of the new hemoplasma isolate and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate was most closely related to two rodent hemotropic mycoplasmal species, M. coccoides and M. haemomuris. A quantitative real-time PCR assay specific for this newly discovered agent was developed, which will be a prerequisite for the diagnosis of infections with the new hemoplasma isolate.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Phone: 41 (44) 635 83 22. Fax: 41 (44) 635 89 23. E-mail: rhofmann{at}vetclinics.unizh.ch.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, June 2005, p. 2581-2585, Vol. 43, No. 6
0095-1137/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.43.6.2581-2585.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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