The use of real-time PCR in the diagnosis and monitoring of Mycoplasma haemofelis copy number in a naturally infected cat.
A 5-year-old male neutered cat was diagnosed with severe anaemia due to acute Mycoplasma haemofelis infection. Inflammatory respiratory disease was present concurrently. The cat was treated successfully using a fresh transfusion of whole blood and a 6 week course of doxycycline. The patient made a rapid recovery although the allergic airway disease subsequently required specific therapy consisting of inhaled fluticasone and salbutamol. Real-time quantitative PCR assays confirmed the presence of M. haemofelis DNA copies in the blood at presentation. Repeat PCR assays showed a reduction in copy number during treatment and negative PCR results were obtained both 91 and 425 days after presentation. The report describes, for the first time, the use of real-time PCR in the diagnosis and monitoring of natural M. haemofelis copy number, as well as the induction of long-term negative PCR status.
Braddock
J A
JA
Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Tasker
S
S
Malik
R
R
D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004318:Doxycycline