IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 10, Issue 2 Ver. I (February. 2017), PP 83-86 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2380-1002018386 www.iosrjournals.org 83 | Page Molecular Detection and Therapeutic Management of Feline Mycoplasmosis P. Ameldev 1 , P.V. Tresamol 1 Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, India Abstract: Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (formerly known as Haemobartonellafelis) are the causes of hemotropic mycoplasmosis in cats. The parasites attach to the surface of the red blood cell, and have the potential to cause severe alterations of the cell’s shape, resulting in anaemia. A three-year-old tom cat was presented in University Veterinary Hospital with symptoms of lethargy, reduced appetite and fever for past 3 days. Clinical examination revealed increased temperature(103º – 105º F), blanched mucous membranes and lymphadenopathy. Upon peripheral blood smear examination small coccoid organisms could be noticed in the periphery of the RBCs. Hematobiochemical examination revealed anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and decreased haematocrit values. The blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction and followed by Polymerase Chain Reaction which confirmed mycoplasmosis due to Mycoplasma haemofelis. The animal was treated with intravenous administration of oxytetracycline@ 10mg/kg BW for five days along with prednisolone and vitamin supplements. Uneventful clinical recovery was noticed 7 days post therapy. Keywords: feline mycoplasma, Mycoplasma haemofelis, molecular detection, therapeutic management I. Introduction Feline Mycoplasmosis/hemobartonellosis, also known as feline infectious anaemia (FIA), is a clinically important disease in the cats. It has been recognised since 1942. The disease may be acute or chronic. Although the organism produces some degree of anaemia in most cats, it also causes a wide range of other clinical signs, which vary from reduced appetite to severe pyrexia, vascular collapse and sometimes death. The disease is caused by Mycoplasmal bacteria that infects erythrocytes and characterised as cell wall-deficient, uncultivable bacteria that colonise the outside of erythrocytes and infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts. The organism is considered as pleomorphic and it can be noticed as rod-shaped, spherical, or ring-shaped and are found individually or in chains across the red cell surface. Haemotropic mycoplasmas were previously known as Haemobartonella and Eperythrozoon, but now are reclassified within the genus Mycoplasma according to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The organism has got worldwide prevalence and arthropod vectors are considered to be the important mode of transmission. However the infection can also spread through the fight between cats, and during blood transfusion [1] . Molecular diagnosis and successful therapeutic management of a case of haemotropicmycoplasmosis is described in this article. II. Case History and Observations A three-year-old tom cat was presented with the symptoms of lethargy, reduced appetite and fever for past 3 days. Regular vaccination and deworming were followed and the animal was reared in a group along with other 3 cats of same age group. Upon physical examination animal was found to be dull and emaciated with a rough hair coat. Clinical examination revealed rectal temperature of 103.8ºF, blanched mucous membranes and lymphadenopathy (fig. 1 and 2). Microscopical examination of Giemsa stained Peripheral blood smears revealed small coccoid organinsms in the periphery of red blood cells suggestive of haemotropic mycoplasmas (Fig. 3). Hematobiochemical examination revealed anaemia along with thrombocytopaenia, granulocytosis and leucocytosis. Biochemical parameters like creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen,Alanine transaminase, total protein albumin, globulin and A:G were found to be within normal range.