Use of a PCR assay to assess the prevalence and risk factors for Mycoplasma haemofelis and ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ in cats in the United Kingdom

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Abstract
Blood samples from 426 healthy and sick cats in the UK were tested in a PCR assay for ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ and Mycoplasma haemofelis (basonym Haemobartonella felis). Seventy‐two of the cats (16·9 per cent) were positive for ‘Candidatus M haemominutum’ alone, six (1·4 per cent) were positive for M haemofelis alone and one (0·2 per cent) was positive for both. Logistic regression analysis indicated that older male cats were significantly more likely to be infected with ‘Candidatus M haemominutum’, but there was no significant association between it and any of the haematological variables measured. M haemofelis infection was uncommon in the anaemic cats sampled, and there were too few positive cases for multivariable analysis to be performed for M haemofelis ‐positive status.
Funding Information
  • Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Trust Fund