How to cite this article: Vet. Res. (2009) 40:45
DOI: 10.1051/vetres/2009028

In vivo transmission studies of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' in the domestic cat

Kristina Museux¹, Felicitas S. Boretti², Barbara Willi^{1, 2}, Barbara Riond¹, Katharina Hoelzle³, Ludwig E. Hoelzle³, Max M. Wittenbrink³, Séverine Tasker⁴, Nicole Wengi¹, Claudia E. Reusch², Hans Lutz¹ and Regina Hofmann-Lehmann<sup>1

1</sup>  Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
²  Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
³  Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
⁴  School of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, United Kingdom

Received 17 November 2008; accepted 12 May 2009; published online 16 May 2009

Abstract - The natural transmission routes of the three feline haemotropic mycoplasmas – Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' (CMt) – are largely unknown. Since CMt has been detected in the saliva of infected cats using PCR, we hypothesised that direct transmission via social or aggressive contact may occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate this transmission route. CMt-positive saliva and blood samples were obtained from three prednisolonetreated specific pathogen-free (SPF) cats that were infected intraperitoneally with CMt. Five SPF cats were inoculated with CMt-positive saliva or blood subcutaneously to mimic cat bites, and five cats were inoculated orally with blood or oronasally with saliva to mimic social contact. Blood samples were monitored for CMt infection using quantitative real-time PCR and for seroconversion using a novel western blot assay. Neither oronasal nor subcutaneous inoculation with CMt-positive saliva led to CMt infection in the recipient cats, as determined by PCR, independent of prior prednisolone treatment. However, when blood containing the same CMt dose was given subcutaneously, 4 of the 5 cats became PCR-positive, while none of the 5 cats inoculated orally with up to 500 L of CMt-positive blood became PCR-positive. Subsequently, the latter cats were successfully subcutaneously infected with blood. All 13 CMt-exposed cats seroconverted. In conclusion, CMt transmission by social contact seems less likely than transmission by aggressive interaction. The latter transmission may occur if the recipient cat is exposed to blood from an infected cat.

Key words: haemotropic mycoplasma / transmission / 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' / real-time TaqMan PCR / seroconversion

Corresponding author: rhofmann@vetclinics.uzh.ch

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2009