Attempted transmission of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and Mycoplasma haemofelis by feeding cats infected Ctenocephalides felis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (Mhm) can be transmitted by ingestion of Mycoplasma-infected Ctenocephalides felis and by-products (feces, larvae, and eggs).


METHODS
10 cats.


METHODS
3 cats were carriers of Mhf, and 1 was a carrier of Mhm. Six cats had negative results of PCR assay for Mhf and Mhm DNA. A chamber containing 100 C felis was bandaged to 2 Mhf carrier cats. Five days later, fleas and by-products were analyzed for Mycoplasma spp DNA. The remaining fleas and a sample of by-products were fed to 2 Mycoplasma-naïve cats. A chamber containing 200 C felis was bandaged to the Mhm carrier cat. Five days later, fleas and by-products were analyzed for Mycoplasma spp DNA. The remaining fleas and a sample of by-products were fed to 2 Mycoplasma-naïve cats. A chamber containing 200 C felis was bandaged to an Mhf carrier cat and Mhm-carrier cat. Three days later, fleas and by-products were analyzed for Mycoplasma spp DNA. The remaining fleas and a random sample of by products were fed to 4 Mycoplasma-naïve cats. All cats were monitored for infection for >or=7 weeks.


RESULTS
Uptake of Mhf and Mhm DNA into fleas and by-products was detected. None of the naïve cats became infected.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that ingestion of Mycoplasma-infected C felis or by-products is not an important means of transmission for Mhf or Mhm.
Woods
James E
JE
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523, USA.
Wisnewski
Nancy
N
Lappin
Michael R
MR
D000818:Animals; D002353:Carrier State; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D002415:Cats; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000145:classification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D010063:Ovum / Q000382:microbiology; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000382:microbiology*