Hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats Part 2: case report

Abstract

An eight-month-old apathic cat was referred to the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals of the Ghent University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium. The cat had a severe case of non-regenerative anemia with a hematocrit of only 2.9%. Cytological examination of a bone marrow aspirate led to the diagnosis of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Additionally, a PCR assay for "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum" ("Candidatus M. haemominutum") DNA was positive. Although unproven, an infection with "Candidatus M. haemominutum" could have contributed to the immune-mediated destruction of red blood cell precursors. The cat recovered completely after treatment, which consisted of multiple blood transfusions, antimicrobial agents, and long-term prednisolone therapy (10 months). There were no signs of clinical relapse at 20 months after cessation of therapy.