title: Use of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to monitor antibiotic therapy in a dog with naturally acquired Mycoplasma haemocanis infection.
abstract: Mycoplasma haemocanis is a hemotropic bacterium that can be associated with acute hemolytic disease in immunocompromised or splenectomized dogs. The present case report describes for the first time the use of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to monitor M. haemocanis infection in a splenectomized dog. The report also describes the application of real-time qPCR for the analysis of deoxyribonucleic acid extracted from stained blood films. The analysis of blood films from the time of initial presentation allowed a retrospective confirmation of M. haemocanis infection. The M. haemocanis copy numbers remained high throughout antibiotic treatment of this dog. A decline in copy numbers was only recorded after 11 months of therapy, when improvements in clinical and hematological indices were also noted. Clearance of infection was not achieved, and the dog remained positive for M. haemocanis at 3.5 months postcessation of antibiotic therapy. Cytological examination of blood films for the presence of organisms was insensitive for the detection of parasitemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: K Lisa
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hulme-Moir
authors.forename: Emily N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stonelake
authors.forename: Chris R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Helps
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tasker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010118:Oxytetracycline