Mycoplasma felis

Test code: B0050 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of Mycoplasma felis by real time polymerase chain reaction

B0050 is included on P0020 - Feline Respiratory Panel

Mycoplasma species are part of the normal flora of the conjunctiva and upper respiratory tract of cats. However, some of these mycoplasmas can cause feline diseases such as feline conjunctivitis, lower respiratory tract infections, and polyarthritis. Among them, Mycoplasma felis has been shown to be one of the probable causes of feline conjunctivitis and respiratory diseases. It is imperative that the Mycoplasma species be correctly identified so that the appropriate treatment is given earlier. For example, there are many causes of feline conjunctivitis and discharge from the eyes. These include allergy, bacterial infections (especially Chlamydia psittaci), fungal infections and other viral infections (especially feline calicivirus). Treatment of viral or fungal infection with antibiotics will not aid recovery.

Conventional detection of Mycoplasma felis in cases of feline conjunctivitis and ulcerative keratitis has been based on clinical presentation, which is not entirely reliable because of overlapping symptoms with other pathogens. Staining of corneal scrapings to detect small basophilic inclusion bodies in epithelial cells is not specific for Mycoplasma; culture of clinical specimens is not a very sensitive test because these bacteria do not remain viable for very long after specimen collection. Identification of M. felis in clinical samples is usually performed by initial cultivation of "fried egg-shaped” colonies on mycoplasma-specific media in 2–3 days. This is followed by biochemical testing to confirm glucose fermentation, absence of arginine hydrolysis, digitonin sensitivity and phosphatase activity. Confirmation of M. felis identification to the species level is then achieved by either growth inhibition with specific anti-sera, fluorescent antibody staining, or use of an immunobinding assay. Additional serological testing can confirm a recent or active infection by detecting rising antibody titers to M. felis with an indirect haemagglutination assay. These testing methodologies are cumbersome and expensive when all costs are added up. However, molecular detection by PCR is the most sensitive and specific way of detecting the bacteria. It is also much faster than culture.

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of Mycoplasma felis infection
• Ensure that dog populations are free of M. felis
• Early prevention of spread of M. felis among a group of cats
• Minimize human exposure to M. felis

Specimen requirement: Conjunctival or throat swab, shipped overnight at room temperature.

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected