title: Pilot study to evaluate the role of Mycoplasma species in cat bite abscesses.
abstract: Mycoplasma species are common inhabitants of the feline oral cavity, and so likely contaminate many cat bite abscesses. The objectives of this study were to determine whether Mycoplasma species are common contaminants of cat bite abscesses and whether they are are associated with β-lactam-resistant clinical disease. Twenty-six privately owned cats with clinical evidence of an abscess suspected to be from a cat bite were included in the study. Samples from each cat were evaluated by aerobic and anaerobic culture, as well as Mycoplasma species culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All cats were initially treated with appropriate wound management and were administered an antibiotic of the β-lactam class (amoxicillin, amoxicillin clavulanate or cefovecin sodium). Mycoplasma species DNA was amplified by PCR from 4/26 samples (15.4%); one of these cases was concurrently culture positive. Adequate DNA for sequencing was present for 2/4 positive PCR samples; one was most homologous with Mycoplasma felis, and the other was most homologous with Mycoplasma equigenitalium and Mycoplasma elephantis. Of the 26 cats, 25 responded to the initial treatment by day 7. The cat that failed initial treatment was positive for M equigenitalium or M elephantis DNA on days 0 and 12, and ultimately responded to administration of enrofloxacin and clindamycin. The results suggest that while Mycoplasma species can contaminate cat bite abscesses, routine wound management and β-lactam antibiotic therapy is adequate for treatment in most cases of abscess. However, as Mycoplasma species infections do not respond to β-lactam class antibiotic therapy, these organisms should be on the differential list for cats with abscesses that fail treatment with this antibiotic class.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA ctorres@colostate.edu.
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torres-Henderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hesser
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Doreene R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hyatt
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lappin
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001733:Bites and Stings; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial