Attempted transmission of Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum and Mycoplasma haemofelis by feeding cats infected Ctenocephalides felis

• Published in: American journal of veterinary research Vol. 67; no. 3; pp. 494 - 497
• Main Authors: Woods, J.E, Wisnewski, N, Lappin, M.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2006
• Subjects: Animals; Carrier State; cat diseases; Cat Diseases - microbiology; Cat Diseases - transmission; Cats; Ctenocephalides felis; dietary exposure; disease transmission; feces; Feces - microbiology; Female; insect vectors; insects; Larva - microbiology; larvae; Male; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma - classification; Mycoplasma - pathogenicity; Mycoplasma haemofelis; Mycoplasma haemominutum; Mycoplasma Infections - microbiology; Mycoplasma Infections - transmission; Mycoplasma Infections - veterinary; mycoplasmosis; ova; Ovum - microbiology; Siphonaptera - microbiology
• ISSN: 0002-9645; 1943-5681
• DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.67.3.494

To determine whether Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (Mhm) can be transmitted by ingestion of Mycoplasma-infected Ctenocephalides felis and by-products (feces, larvae, and eggs). 10 cats. 3 cats were carriers of Mhf, and 1 was a carrier of Mhm. Six cats had negative results of PCR assay for Mhf and Mhm DNA. A chamber containing 100 C felis was bandaged to 2 Mhf carrier cats. Five days later, fleas and by-products were analyzed for Mycoplasma spp DNA. The remaining fleas and a sample of by-products were fed to 2 Mycoplasma-naïve cats. A chamber containing 200 C felis was bandaged to the Mhm carrier cat. Five days later, fleas and by-products were analyzed for Mycoplasma spp DNA. The remaining fleas and a sample of by-products were fed to 2 Mycoplasma-naïve cats. A chamber containing 200 C felis was bandaged to an Mhf carrier cat and Mhm-carrier cat. Three days later, fleas and by-products were analyzed for Mycoplasma spp DNA. The remaining fleas and a random sample of by products were fed to 4 Mycoplasma-naïve cats. All cats were monitored for infection for >or=7 weeks. Uptake of Mhf and Mhm DNA into fleas and by-products was detected. None of the naïve cats became infected. Results suggested that ingestion of Mycoplasma-infected C felis or by-products is not an important means of transmission for Mhf or Mhm.