Effect of preexisting FeLV infection or FeLV and feline immunodeficiency virus coinfection on pathogenicity of the small variant of Haemobartonella felis in cats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of preexisting FeLV infection or FeLV and feline immunodeficiency (FIV) coinfection on the pathogenicity of the small variant of Haemobartonella felis (Hfsm, California variant) in cats. ANIMALS: 20 FeLV infected, 5 FeLV-FIV coinfected, and 19 retrovirus-free cats. PROCEDURES: A client-owned cat, coinfected with FeLV and Hfsm, was the source for Hfsm. Inoculum 1 (FeLV free) was obtained by passage of source Hfsm through 4 FeLV-resistant cats. Inoculum 2 was obtained by further passage of Hfsm (inoculum 1) through 2 specific pathogen-free cats. RESULTS: A mild-to-moderate anemia started 21 days after inoculation, with its nadir occurring at 35 to 42 days after inoculation. Infection with Hfsm induced greater decrease in hemoglobin concentration in FeLV infected cats, compared with retrovirus free cats. Reticulocytosis, macrocytosis, and polychromasia of erythrocytes developed in anemic cats regardless of retrovirus infection status. Mean neutrophil counts decreased during the hemolytic episode. For most cats, the anemia was transient. Four FeLV infected cats, 1 of which was also FIV infected, developed fatal FeLV-associated myeloproliferative diseases. Of the surviving cats, 8 died over the next 24 months from other FeLV-related diseases. Hemolysis did not recur after the initial episode. Inoculum 1 induced more severe anemia than inoculum 2. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results support the clinical observation that cats coinfected with FeLV and H felis develop more severe anemia than cats infected with H felis alone. Infection with Hfsm may induce myeloproliferative disease in FeLV infected cats. The small variant of H felis may lose pathogenicity by passage through FeLV-free cats.     

Molecular detection and characterization of Haemobartonella felis in domestic cats in Japan employing sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction (SS-PCR)

A novel PCR assay was developed in order to examine the prevalence of Haemobartonella felis (H. felis) in Japanese domestic cats and which was able to differentiate of the Ohio strain and the California strain of H. felis. Blood samples from a total of 21 cats suspected of having haemobartonellosis were examined employing a novel PCR assay and demonstrated positive results in 18 cats which was confirmed by cytological examination of blood smears. Four out of 18 positive cats (22%) were infected with the California strain, whilst the other 12 cats (67%) were infected with the Ohio strain and two animals (11%) were infected with both strains. As most of the cats with moderate to severe anemia were infected with the Ohio strain, it is suggested that the most prevalent strain of H. felis in Japanese domestic cats might be the Ohio strain. In the present study, it was thought that molecular detection and characterization of H. felis may provide valuable information regarding the severity and prognosis of this illness.     

Use of a polymerase chain reaction assay to detect and differentiate two strains of Haemobartonella felis in naturally infected cats

OBJECTIVE: To develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that detects and differentiates the Ohio strain of Haemobartonella felis (H. felis-OH) and the California strain of H. felis (H. felis-CA) and to apply the assay to blood samples from cats with and without suspected haemobartonellosis (suspect and control cats, respectively). SAMPLE POPULATION: 220 blood samples were examined; 82 were from suspect cats, and 138 were from control cats. PROCEDURE: A PCR assay was designed to detect and differentiate H. felis-OH and H. felis-CA. RESULTS: On the basis of PCR assay results, the overall prevalence of H. felis infection was 19.5% (43/220). Suspect cats (28.0%; 23/82) were significantly more likely than control cats (14.5%; 20/138) to be H. felis infected. Significantly greater numbers of suspect cats were H. felis-OH infected (12.2%, 9/82) or H. felis-OH and H. felis-CA infected (4.9%, 4/82) than control cats (0% [0/138] and 0.7% [1/138], respectively). Significantly more anemic cats were H. felis-OH infected (14.3%; 4/28) or H. felis-OH and H. felis-CA infected (7.1%; 2/28) than nonanemic cats (2.3% [3/128] and 0.8% [1/128], respectively). The PCR assay was more accurate than cytologic examination for detection of H. felis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Haemobartonella felis infections are more common in cats than previously recognized. Haemobartonella felis-OH is apparently more pathogenic than H. felis-CA. The PCR assay is more accurate than cytologic examination for detection of H. felis infection and is an effective clinical tool for the detection and differentiation of both H. felis strains known to infect cats.     

An etiological investigation of domestic cats with conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract disease in Japan

Chlamydophila felis (C. felis), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) were detected in 39 (59.1%), 11 (16.7%) and 14 (21.2%) cats respectively, from 66 domestic cats presented with conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in 9 prefectures of Japan. Dual and multiple infections were found in 7 (10.6%) cats with both C. felis and FHV-1, 10 (15.2%) cats with both C. felis and FCV, and 1 (1.5%) cat with all three agents. C. felis was isolated from 11 (28.2%) of 39 PCR positive cats. Antigenic difference was found in a 96 kDa protein of our isolates and Fe/145 strain isolated in USA. In conclusion, C. felis is the most common agent of feline conjunctivitis and URTD, and the coinfection with C. felis, FHV-1 and FCV are also common in cats in Japan.     

Risk factors for Haemobartonella felis infection in cats

A seroepidemiologic survey for Haemobartonella felis infection in cats of Wake County, NC was undertaken. To help assess risk factors, cat owners completed a 10-item questionnaire. Additionally, blood samples were obtained for determination of H felis presence, FeLV infection, and anemia. Prevalence rates for H felis presence were as follows: all cats, 4.9% (6/123); healthy cats, 3.6% (3/83); and ill cats, 7.5% (3/40). The estimated relative risk for haemobartonellosis was also increased in cats with any of the following: anemia, FeLV-positive status, lack of vaccinations, history of catbite abscesses and/or anemia, age less than or equal to 3 years, or outdoor-roaming status. The sex, breed, number of cats in the household, or presence of fleas were not significant factors, although ill male cats had a greater estimated relative risk for haemobartonellosis.     

Identification of Haemobartonella felis (Mycoplasma haemofelis) in captive nondomestic cats.

This study was undertaken to determine whether Haemobartonella felis (Mycoplasma haemofelis), the causative bacterial agent of feline infectious anemia, infects nondomestic cats. Routine complete blood count and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to detect the gene for 16S ribosomal RNA for the organism. Sixty-four blood samples were collected from 54 nondomestic cats, including tigers (Panthera tigris), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), lions (P. leo), mountain lions (Felis concolor), snow leopards (P. unica), and a jaguar (P. onca). Some cats were sampled on two or three different dates. Two tigers were positive for H. felis by PCR analysis. As previously described in domestic cats, the parasitemia appears to be intermittent in nondomestic cats.     

Efficacy of azithromycin for the treatment of feline chlamydophilosis

The current recommended treatment for feline chlamydophilosis involves daily oral administration of antimicrobials to all cats within an affected group for a prolonged period of time (4-6 weeks). Not surprisingly, owner compliance can be poor resulting in apparent treatment failure. Recent anecdotal evidence, supported by its efficacy in the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in humans, has suggested that azithromycin may offer an alternative by allowing less frequent dosing for a shorter duration. A clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin for the treatment of chlamydia (Chlamydophila felis) infection in cats. Whilst azithromycin, given at 10-15 mg/kg daily for 3 days and then twice weekly, provided a similar, rapid resolution of clinical signs and negative isolation scores as doxycycline, C felis was re-isolated in four out of the five cats treated. Furthermore, even daily administration of azithromycin to chronically infected cats was ineffective in clearing infection. The azithromycin protocols used here were therefore found to be unsuccessful in eliminating the carriage of this strain of C felis.     

Evaluation of experimental transmission of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and Mycoplasma haemofelis by Ctenocephalides felis to cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Ctenocephalides felis can transmit Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (Mhm) through hematophagous activity between cats. ANIMALS: 11 cats. PROCEDURE: 2 cats were carriers of either Mhf or Mhm. Nine cats had negative results via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for Mhf and Mhm DNA; 3 of those cats were infected from the chronic carriers via i.v. inoculation of blood. At the time of maximum organism count for each of the Mycoplasma spp, 1 chamber containing 100 C felis was bandaged to the amplifier cats. Five days later, fleas, feces, larvae, or eggs from each chamber were analyzed for Mycoplasma spp DNA. Viable fleas from the chambers were allocated into new chambers (3 Mhm and 6 Mhf) and attached to na?ve cats for 5 days. Cats were monitored daily for clinical signs and weekly via CBC and PCR assay for infection with Mhf or Mhm for a minimum of 8 weeks. RESULTS: Uptake of Mhf and Mhm DNA into fleas, feces, and, potentially, eggs and larvae was detected. Of the na?ve cats fed on by Mhf-infected fleas, 1 cat transiently yielded positive PCR assay results for Mhf on 1 sampling date without clinical or hematologic changes consistent with Mhf infection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that hematophagous transfer of Mhm and Mhf into fleas occurred and that C felis is a possible vector for Mhf via hematophagous activity.     

Marbofloxacin for the treatment of experimentally induced Mycoplasma haemofelis infection in cats

BACKGROUND: Administration of tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones is associated with improvement in clinical and laboratory abnormalities in cats infected with Mycoplasma haemofelis. No treatment protocol has consistently eliminated the organism, and antimicrobial susceptibility may vary among M. haemofelis isolates. Continued search for effective therapies is warranted. HYPOTHESIS: Marbofloxacin administered at the onset of clinical illness will be safe and effective for the treatment of M. haemofelis. ANIMALS: Fourteen young adult, laboratory-reared cats housed together in a specific pathogen-free facility. METHODS: Twelve cats were inoculated IV with 2.0 mL of blood from 2 M. haemofelis positive cats. Clinical parameters were assessed daily. CBC and hemoplasma polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were performed before inoculation, weekly for 1-3 weeks postinoculation (PI) and twice weekly 3-6 weeks PI. Treatment with marbofloxacin (2.75 mg/kg PO daily for 14 days) was initiated in 6 randomly selected cats when PCV was <30% or fever was >102.5 degrees F (39.2 degrees C). Cats that were PCR positive on day 7 of therapy were treated for 28 days. Cats that were PCR negative on day 42 PI were treated with 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone acetate IM on day 50 PI. RESULTS: Significant differences between groups on some days after inoculation included higher PCV and red blood cell counts, lower mean cell volume, and higher mean cell hemoglobin content in marbofloxacin-treated cats. No differences in PCR assay results were noted between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Marbofloxacin was safe and resulted in more rapid hematologic improvement in M. haemofelis-infected cats, but did not change clinical scores and did not consistently eliminate infection.     

Efficacy of pradofloxacin in cats with feline upper respiratory tract disease due to Chlamydophila felis or Mycoplasma infections

BACKGROUND: Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) of cats is caused by a number of pathogens, including Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma spp. For effective treatment of both infections, doxycycline and enrofloxacin are recommended, but adverse effects limit their use in cats. HYPOTHESIS: That the fluoroquinolone pradofloxacin is effective against C. felis and Mycoplasma infection in cats with URTD or conjunctivitis. ANIMALS: Thirty-nine cats with signs of URTD or conjunctivitis. METHODS: Placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Cats were randomly entered into 1 of 2 treatment groups: treated PO with either 5 mg/kg pradofloxacin q24h or 5 mg/kg doxycycline q12h for 42 consecutive days. Changes in health status and clinical scores were evaluated. The presence of C. felis and Mycoplasma spp. was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR of conjunctival swabs, respectively. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, C. felis and Mycoplasma spp. were detected in 23 and 20 cats, respectively. Cats of both groups responded rapidly with a marked improvement in clinical signs within the 1st week. During treatment with either drug, C. felis DNA copy number declined quickly. Complete elimination of Mycoplasma spp. was achieved in both groups; however, whereas all cats receiving doxycycline eliminated C. felis, 4 cats treated with pradofloxacin remained PCR-positive. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study demonstrates that both pradofloxacin and doxycycline have good efficacy against C. felis and Mycoplasma spp., resulting in a marked improvement of clinical signs. However, C. felis DNA remained in some cats after treatment with pradofloxacin, suggesting that infection might not have been eliminated.     

Incidence and significance of isolation of Mycoplasma felis from conjunctival swabs of cats

Conjunctival swabs taken from 40 cats with conjunctivitis and 65 cats without conjunctivitis were examined for the presence of Mycoplasma felis. The incidence of M. felis in cats with conjunctivitis was 25%. M. felis was not isolated from clinically normal cats. Inoculation of two isolates into the conjunctival sacs of healthy cats induced conjunctival hyperemia, starting 2-3 days after inoculation and disappearing without treatment within 7 days. It is concluded that M. felis plays a role in feline conjunctivitis.     

Feline haemobartonellosis: clinical, haematological and pathological studies in natural infections and the relationship to infection with feline leukaemia virus

Haemobartonella felis infection was demonstrated in 38 cats which could be divided into four groups as follows: group A, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) free cats with H felis infection alone; group B, FeLV free cats with H felis infection and other clinical conditions; group C, FeLV positive cats with H felis infection but no clinical manifestation of FeLV related or any other intercurrent disease; and group D, FeLV positive cats with H felis infection and clinical manifestations of FeLV related or other diseases. Cats in group A were healthy carriers of the infection and none was anaemic, whereas some in group B had clinical haemobartonellosis and anaemia. This anaemia was mainly mild, normocytic and normochromic. Most of the cats in group C and all in group D were more severely ill and anaemic, the anaemia usually being macrocytic and hypochromic. Splenomegaly occurred only in groups C and D. Treatment with tetracyclines did not eliminate H felis from any of the cats and blood transfusions were ineffective in promoting long term recovery from anaemia in cats with intercurrent H felis and FeLV infections. The findings in the cats in groups C and D were further compared with those in a fifth group of cats which were infected with FeLV but free of H felis.     

Use of enrofloxacin for treatment of large-form Haemobartonella felis in experimentally infected cats

OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment with enrofloxacin and doxycycline with no treatment in cats experimentally infected with Haemobartonella felis. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. ANIMALS: 16 cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were inoculated with large-form H. felis from a chronically infected donor. Cats were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: doxycycline (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb], p.o., q 12 h), low-dose enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg, p.o., q 24 h), high-dose enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], p.o., q 24 h), and an untreated control group. Clinical signs, Hct, blood smears, and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were used to monitor progression of the infection. RESULTS: All cats were confirmed to be infected with H. felis via blood smear evaluations and PCR assay results. Treatment had no effect on Hct during the intratreatment period, but Hct values were significantly greater in the low-dose enrofloxacin group, compared with the control group, during the posttreatment period. During the intratreatment period, H. felis organism counts per 1,000 RBC in the doxycycline treatment and the high-dose enrofloxacin treatment groups decreased at a significantly faster rate than those in the control group. In the posttreatment period, organism counts in the doxycycline treatment group and the low- and high-dose enrofloxacin groups decreased at significantly faster rates than counts in the control group. There was no significant effect of treatment on the number of positive PCR assay results. Two cats treated with enrofloxacin and 1 cat treated with doxycycline completely cleared the H. fe is organism despite presumed immunosuppression caused by glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results support the hypothesis that enrofloxacin has anti-H. felis effects.     

Detection of persistent Cytauxzoon felis infection by polymerase chain reaction in three asymptomatic domestic cats

Repeated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of 3 asymptomatic domestic cats were positive for Cytauxzoon felis DNA, suggesting persistent infection. Two cats initially presented with clinical signs consistent with acute cytauxzoonosis and, in both cases, signs of illness resolved after treatment. Parasitemia was detected in peripheral blood smears from these cats upon presentation with illness and, at subsequent follow-up appointments, in the absence of clinical illness. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was positive for C. felis from blood sampled at each time point. A third cat, a housemate of a cat fatally infected with C. felis, was preventatively treated for infection at the time of the housemate cat's death. This contact cat, having never shown signs of clinical illness consistent with cytauxzoonosis infection, had no detectable parasitemia but was positive for C. felis on repeated PCR testing. Detection of asymptomatically infected cats allows for the possibility of a yet unrecognized population of infected domestic cats that may have the capacity to serve as an additional reservoir host for C. felis, altering the currently accepted paradigm of C. felis transmission to domestic cats through bobcats as the reservoir host. In cases of very low parasitemia, more sensitive means of parasite detection, such as PCR testing, may be necessary to detect infected cats. Increased detection of asymptomatically infected cats will aid in understanding the epidemiology of C. felis infection and enhance the ability to prevent this highly fatal infectious disease of domestic cats.     

Cats surviving natural infection with Cytauxzoon felis: 18 cases (1997-1998)

Eighteen cats surviving natural infection with Cytauxzoon felis were identified. All cats came from a limited geographic area in northwestern Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Clinical signs in most cats were similar to those described for cytauxzoonosis; however, 4 cats were asymptomatic. All cases were initially diagnosed by microscopic identification of signet ring-shaped piroplasms in erythrocytes of peripheral blood smears. Four of 4 cats tested had detectable serum antibodies to C felis. Four different cats were positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Partial sequencing of the PCR product from 1 cat revealed >99% homology with the reported sequence of C felis. Repeated examination of blood smears from 12 cats revealed that the erythroparasitemia was generally persistent for the duration of follow-up (3-154 days). Survival did not seem dependent on treatment, as only 1 cat was treated with a drug with potential antiprotozoal activity (imidocarb dipropionate), and 4 cats received no treatment. The findings of this study may indicate the existence of a less virulent strain of C felis.     

Prevalence of feline herpesvirus 1, Chlamydophila felis, and Mycoplasma spp DNA in conjunctival cells collected from cats with and without conjunctivitis

OBJECTIVE: To use PCR assays to determine the prevalence of feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1), Chlamydophila felis, and Mycoplasma spp DNA in conjunctival cells collected from cats with and without conjunctivitis; to compare results of conventional and real-time fluorogenic PCR assays for amplification of FHV-1 DNA; and to determine whether copy numbers of FHV-1 DNA are correlated with conjunctivitis. ANIMALS: 55 cats with active conjunctivitis, 39 healthy cats that never had conjunctivitis, and 32 cats with a history of conjunctivitis that had been resolved for at least 3 months. PROCEDURES: Samples were obtained by rolling cotton-tipped applicators on the ventral conjunctiva of awake cats treated topically with proparacaine. The DNA was extracted from the swab specimens and assessed in PCR assays to detect DNA of FHV-1 (fluorogenic PCR assay and conventional PCR assay), Mycoplasma spp (conventional PCR assay), and C felis (conventional PCR assay). RESULTS: Overall prevalence rates of FHV-1, C felis, and Mycoplasma spp as assessed by the conventional PCR assays were 6.7%, 3.2%, and 9.6%, respectively. Percentage concordance between conventional PCR and fluorogenic PCR assays for FHV-1 was 92.5%. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups of cats for the mean copy number of FHV-1 divided by the copy number of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mycoplasma spp were the most prevalent organism detected and was associated with conjunctivitis. This study could not confirm that there are increased copy numbers of FHV-1 DNA in cats with conjunctivitis, compared with the copy numbers for cats without conjunctivitis.     

Cytauxzoon felis infections are present in bobcats (Lynx rufus) in a region where cytauxzoonosis is not recognized in domestic cats

This study was performed to determine the prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis (C. felis) infections in bobcats (Lynx rufus) from a region where C. felis is recognized in domestic cats, North Carolina (NC), and a region where C. felis is not recognized in domestic cats, Pennsylvania (PA). Samples from NC (n=32) were obtained post-mortem via cardiac puncture from legally trapped bobcats. Samples from PA (n=70) were collected post-mortem onto Nobuto blood collecting strips by the PA Game Commission. Each sample was tested using a C. felis specific PCR assay as well as a PCR assay targeting host DNA to rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors. Three samples were excluded due to the presence of PCR inhibitors. Thirty-three percent (10/30) of the samples from NC and 7% (5/69) of the samples from PA tested positive for the presence of C. felis. The proportion of C. felis positive bobcats from NC was significantly different than that from PA (P<0.005). Despite the lower prevalence of C. felis infections in bobcats from PA this finding is unique and indicates the potential for C. felis infections in domestic cats in the northeastern USA if the appropriate tick vectors are present. Veterinary practitioners in PA should be on alert for cytauxzoonosis in domestic cats. Further studies about the epidemiology and transmission of C. felis infections among both domestic cats and bobcats are needed.     

Helicobacter spp. infection in cats: evaluation of the humoral immune response and prevalence of gastric Helicobacter spp

The principal aims of this study were to evaluate the humoral immune response (IgG) of cats with gastric Helicobacter spp. infection, and to determine the prevalence of different types of Helicobacter spp. in the stomachs of cats. The Helicobacter infection status of 45 cats (12 healthy spay/neuter cats, 9 sick cats, 24 colony cats) was determined by evaluating endoscopic gastric biopsies for urease activity, presence of Helicobacter-like organisms (HLO) on histopathology, and genus and species-specific PCR. Serum samples were evaluated with a kinetic enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) utilizing the high molecular cell-associated protein (HM-CAP) fraction of H. felis ATCC 49179.Seventeen of 45 cats were infected with Helicobacter spp.: "H. heilmannii" 9/17, H. felis 4/17, mixed "H. heilmannii" and H. felis 3/17, unclassified-Helicobacter spp. 7/17. H. pylori was not detected in any cat. Kinetic ELISA results were significantly higher for infected cats, than for uninfected cats. Cats infected with different Helicobacter spp. showed similar distribution of OD/min values. There were no effects of age or clinical signs on the results of kinetic ELISA. No correlation between colonization density and seroconversion was observed. There were statistically significant, but weak correlations between the degree of seroconversion and the degree of inflammation, and the number of lymphoid follicles. Infected cats had more severe inflammation in the pylorus and fundus than uninfected cats. Infected sick cats had a higher degree of pyloric, but not fundic inflammation, than healthy infected cats and uninfected sick cats.The results indicate that naturally acquired infection with gastric Helicobacter spp. is associated with seroconversion (IgG) in cats. The similar ELISA values in cats infected with a variety of Helicobacter spp. suggests substantial antigenic homology between different Helicobacter spp. The higher degree of inflammation in infected than uninfected cats, supports a role for Helicobacter as a cause of gastritis in cats.     

Mycoplasma haemofelis and Mycoplasma haemominutum detection by polymerase chain reaction in cats from Saskatchewan and Alberta

Hemobartonellosis is caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis, previously known as Haemobartonella felis. Cats infected with this organism typically develop regenerative anemia. The related species Mycoplasma haemominutum may also cause anemia. The purposes of this study were to use polymerase chain reaction technology to determine if both organisms exist in naturally infected cats from Saskatchewan and Alberta, and to determine if disease manifestation corresponds to mycoplasma species. Thirteen of 18 cats with regenerative anemia were infected, 12 with M. haemofelis and 1 with M. haemominutum. Eight of 22 cats with nonregenerative anemia were infected, 4 with M. haemofelis and 4 with M. haemominutum. Two of 20 cats with normal complete blood (cell) counts were infected with M. haemominutum. Although both mycoplasma species were identified, ill cats were more often infected with M. haemofelis.     

Evaluation of ketoconazole and itraconazole for treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis in cats

During the first part of a study, cats were inoculated with Cryptococcus neoformans via the following routes: intradermal, intranasal, IV, and intracisternal. Only use of the IV route of inoculation consistently induced disseminated cryptococcosis. In the second part of the study, disseminated cryptococcosis was experimentally induced in cats via IV inoculation of C neoformans. One month after inoculation, 3 cats were treated with ketoconazole (10 mg/kg of body weight/d) and 3 cats were treated with itraconazole (10 mg/kg/d) for 3 months. One of the ketoconazole-treated and 2 of the itraconazole-treated cats also had cryptococcosis of the CNS when treatment was begun. During treatment, serum cryptococcal antigen titer progressively decreased in all cats. Abnormalities in CBC values or the serum biochemical profile were not found in any cat during treatment. However, all ketoconazole-treated cats became anorectic and lost weight. Side effects were not seen in itraconazole-treated cats. During the 3-month posttreatment observation period, all cats remained healthy. At necropsy, histologic evidence of cryptococcosis was not found in the 3 ketoconazole-treated cats or in 2 of the itraconazole-treated cats. In the third itraconazole-treated cat, cryptococcal organisms were found in the kidneys.