title: A molecular study of hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) in cats in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Three feline hemoplasma species are recognized: Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. These species can cause anemia in cats and have a worldwide distribution.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  There was no previous information on hemotropic mycoplasma spp in cats in Iran and the Middle East. Accordingly, we investigated the molecular presence, and clinical signs and hematological profile in cats infected with these microorganisms in Iranian cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and cytology were performed on 100 blood samples collected from Iranian Shorthair cats. ACBC and case history were also collected for each sample.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By PCR, 22 (22%; 14-30%, 95% CI) samples were positive. The prevalence of M haemofelis, 'Ca M haemominutum', and 'Ca M turicensis' was 63.63% (14/22), 54.54% (12/22), and 18.18% (4/22), respectively. Some double and triple co-infections were also found. Using PCR as the reference method, cytology had poor sensitivity (27%) and reasonable specificity (89.74%). Male cats were at a higher risk of infection (P = .001). Cats older than 8 years were more frequently infected than the younger cats (P = .0018). Lower HCT (P = .018), RBC count (P = .028) and HGB concentration (P = .003) were also associated with hemoplasma PCR-positive status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on this study, the most prevalent feline hemoplasma species in Iranian cats was M haemofelis, but double and triple co-infections are also documented. Age and sex, as well as reduced RBC parameters, were predisposing factors for hemoplasma infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fereshteh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghazisaeedi
authors.forename: Nahid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Atyabi
authors.forename: Taghi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zahrai Salehi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gentilini
authors.forename: Iraj
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ashrafi Tamai
authors.forename: Hesam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akbarein
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tasker
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats; D015984:Causality; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Anemia; Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum; Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis; PCR; cytology; feline