Feline haemobartonellosis (or feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis) is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria of the Mycoplasma genus (Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum) which parasitizes red blood cells and can cause severe hemolytic anemia.
It is difficult to date to precisely define the mode of transmission of the disease. However, it is possible that fleas and ticks 1 are vectors of transmission, as are bites 2 or blood transfusions 3,4 . Certain factors can increase the risk of Mycoplasma infection or worsen the disease such as sex, age, presence of bites, infection by a retrovirus (FeLV or FIV seropositivity), lack of pedigree or access to the outside 1.5 .
Some cats affected by hemobartonellosis may be asymptomatic or present non-specific signs (lethargy, anorexia, dehydration) while for others, the disease can induce acute hemolysis which can lead to death 5 .
Dogs can also be affected by hemobartonellosis caused primarily by Mycoplasma haemocanis or Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum . The mode of transmission is just as uncertain as in cats.
Feline hemobartonellosis has been detected worldwide, however its prevalence varies between regions 10 .
Until now, the zoonotic potential of the responsible bacteria has been neglected. However, some data suggests possible interspecies transmission 11,12,13,14,15 .
The definitive diagnosis can be established by performing a blood smear and/or PCR. However, microscopic examination of a blood smear can be difficult to interpret since the bacteria causing hemobartonellosis can easily be confused with other structures (Howell-Joly bodies) or staining artifacts. Other tests such as blood tests, urine tests or infectious serology may prove to be not very specific but can guide the diagnosis.
Direct detection of the presence of the bacteria in the blood by DNA amplification remains the test of choice 6,7,8 . The Astéria Hémobart tests allow rapid detection in 30 minutes in cats of Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and in dogs of Mycoplasma haemocanis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum .
Treatment is indicated in symptomatic cats and is based on the administration of an antibiotic (particularly tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones) 5 . To date, antibiotic treatments are unlikely to completely eliminate the bacteria, so infected cats may remain asymptomatic carriers for months or even years. However, reactivation of clinical disease appears rare 9 . Apart from antibiotic treatment, transfusion, corticosteroids, and various adjuvant medications can be used depending on the symptoms. Treatment combined with effective prevention of flea infestation remains necessary.
TECHNOLOGY
Our tests use isothermal PCR technology: LAMP technology which directly detects the pathogen’s DNA.
SENSITIVITY
The Astéria Hémobart kit has sensitivity identical to that of PCR.
It makes it possible to detect the species Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum responsible for the disease in cats.
SPEED
Results are obtained in 30 minutes at the patient’s bedside.
ANIMAL WELLBEING
The cat can be treated the same day, the owner is immediately informed of the condition of his animal.
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Bibliography
1 Willi, B., Boretti, F.S., Meli, M.L., Bernasconi, M.V., Casati, S., Hegglin, D., Puorger, M., Neimark, H., Cattori, V., Wengi, N., Reusch, C.E., Lutz, H., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., 2007a. Real-time PCR investigation of potential vectors, reservoirs, and shedding patterns of feline hemotropic mycoplasmas. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73, 3798–3802. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02977-06
2 Museux, K., Boretti, F.S., Willi, B., Riond, B., Hoelzle, K., Hoelzle, L.E., Wittenbrink, M.M., Tasker, S., Wengi, N., Reusch, C.E., Lutz, H., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., 2009. In vivo transmission studies of “Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis” in the domestic cat. Vet. Res. 40, 45. https://doi.org/10.1051/vetres/2009028
3 Gary, A.T., Richmond, H.L., Tasker, S., Hackett, T.B., Lappin, M.R., 2006. Survival of Mycoplasma haemofelis and “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” in blood of cats used for transfusions. J. Feline Med. Surg. 8, 321–326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2006.04.005
4 Willi, B., Boretti, F.S., Baumgartner, C., Tasker, S., Wenger, B., Cattori, V., Meli, M.L., Reusch, C.E., Lutz, H., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., 2006. Prevalence, risk factor analysis, and follow-up of infections caused by three feline hemoplasma species in cats in Switzerland. J. Clin. Microbiol. 44, 961–969. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.44.3.961-969.2006
5 Barker, E.N., 2019. Update on Feline Hemoplasmosis. Vet. Clin. North Am. Small Anim. Pract. 49, 733–743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.02.009
6 Tasker, S., Binns, S.H., Day, M.J., Gruffydd-Jones, T.J., Harbour, D.A., Helps, C.R., Jensen, W.A., Olver, C.S., Lappin, M.R., 2003. 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. Vet. Rec. 152, 193–198. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.152.7.193
7 Willi, B., Filoni, C., Catão-Dias, J.L., Cattori, V., Meli, M.L., Vargas, A., Martínez, F., Roelke, M.E., Ryser-Degiorgis, M.-P., Leutenegger, C.M., Lutz, H., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., 2007b. Worldwide occurrence of feline hemoplasma infections in wild felid species. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45, 1159–1166. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.02005-06
8 Peters, I.R., Helps, C.R., Willi, B., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., Tasker, S., 2008. The prevalence of three species of feline haemoplasmas in samples submitted to a diagnostics service as determined by three novel real-time duplex PCR assays. Vet. Microbiol. 126, 142–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2007.06.017
9 Foley, J.E., Harrus, S., Poland, A., Chomel, B., Pedersen, N.C., 1998. Molecular, clinical, and pathologic comparison of two distinct strains of Haemobartonella felis in domestic cats. Am. J. Vet. Res. 59, 1581–1588.
10 Willi, B., Novacco, M., Meli, M., Wolf-Jäckel, G., Boretti, F., Wengi, N., Lutz, H., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., 2010. Haemotropic mycoplasmas of cats and dogs: transmission, diagnosis, prevalence and importance in Europe. Schweiz. Arch. Tierheilkd. 152, 237–244.
11 Sykes, J.E., Bailiff, N.L., Ball, L.M., Foreman, O., George, J.W., Fry, M.M., 2004. Identification of a novel hemotropic mycoplasma in a splenectomized dog with hemic neoplasia. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 224, 1946–1951, 1930–1931. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2004.224.1946
12 Willi, B., Boretti, F.S., Cattori, V., Tasker, S., Meli, M.L., Reusch, C., Lutz, H., Hofmann-Lehmann, R., 2005. Identification, molecular characterization, and experimental transmission of a new hemoplasma isolate from a cat with hemolytic anemia in Switzerland. J. Clin. Microbiol. 43, 2581–2585. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.43.6.2581-2585.2005
13 Zhuang, Q.J., Zhang, H.J., Lin, R.Q., Sun, M.F., Liang, X.J., Qin, X.W., Pu, W.J., Zhu, X.Q., 2009. The occurrence of the feline “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” in dog in China confirmed by sequence-based analysis of ribosomal DNA. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 41, 689–692. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9242-2
14 Yuan, C.L., Liang, A.B., Yao, C.B., Yang, Z.B., Zhu, J.G., Cui, L., Yu, F., Zhu, N.Y., Yang, X.W., Hua, X.G., 2009. Prevalence of Mycoplasma suis (Eperythrozoon suis) infection in swine and swine-farm workers in Shanghai, China. Am. J. Vet. Res. 70, 890–894. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.70.7.890
15 Dos Santos, A.P., dos Santos, R.P., Biondo, A.W., Dora, J.M., Goldani, L.Z., de Oliveira, S.T., de Sá Guimarães, A.M., Timenetsky, J., de Morais, H.A., González, F.H.D., Messick, J.B., 2008. Hemoplasma infection in HIV-positive patient, Brazil. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 14, 1922–1924. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1412.080964
L’ISO 9001 joue un rôle clé au sein d’Enalees, garantissant non seulement la qualité, mais aussi la conformité légale, la gestion des risques, l’adaptation au marché et la reconnaissance. Grâce à elle, nous nous structurons, nous nous unifions et poursuivons notre dynamique d’excellence opérationnelle. Il est essentiel de souligner que cette norme positionne la conformité des produits et services au coeur de notre réflexion, plaçant ainsi la satisfaction du client au premier plan de nos priorités. « Je suis très fier de l’engagement de tous les salariés pour la mise en oeuvre du système qualité. Cette structuration incontournable du siège nous permet d’aborder le tournant pris par Enalees dans la construction d’un groupe International tourné vers la satisfaction client. Notre solution vient s’inscrire dans la notion de One Health avec un diagnostic de précision pour une médecine personnalisée » déclare Laurent Thiery Président et co-fondateur d’Enalees.
La certification ISO 9001 nous apporte des avantages importants, en favorisant une approche d’amélioration continue et en intégrant des objectifs et des indicateurs pour mieux répondre aux besoins de nos clients, notamment les vétérinaires, les animaux et les industries tierces. Cette démarche ajoute un contrôle structuré pour garantir que les actions sont orientées dans la bonne trajectoire : atteindre l’excellence opérationnelle et de réagir proactivement aux éventuels écarts. Enalees est dans l’attente de sa certification officielle suite à un audit finale sans aucune non-conformité.
