Feline haemoplasmosis in Ankara, Turkey: Pathological, haematological and biochemical findings, diagnosis and mycoplasma identification by PCR and enrofloxacin treatment efficiency

A molecular survey of haemoplasma (Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomimutum') in Ankar. Turkey was performed using a PCR assay. Blood samples from 39 cats suspected for haemoplasmosis (Haemobartonellosis) were selected. The haemoplasmosis diagnosis was confirmed by cytological examination of Romanowsky stained blood smears and by mycoplasma identification by PCR in 12 cats: all these animals were infected by "Candidatus M. haemominutum' but none of them were positive for M. haemofeils infection. Four cats were also serologically positive for FIV. The predominant clinocal, haematological and biochemical signs were hyperthermia, flea infestation, anorexia, tachypnoea, anaemia with decreased haemoglobin concentrations, low eyrthrocyte counts and low hematocrit, increased serum AST and ALT activities and enhanced bilirubin concentrations. The enrofloxacin treatment (5 mg/kg/day. SC, for 10 days) has allowed mycoplasma elimination as demonstrated by the PCR assay on day 60 and has improved the health status of the cats. This study describes the first use and the interest of a PCR assay to diagnose infection with Candidatus M. haemominutum' in cats from Ankara, Turkey. Neverthless, further studies on a larger feline population are required for determining the prevalences of 'Candidatus M. haemominutum' and M. haemofelis in this country.