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In cats, ’mucosal’ mycoplasma infections typically cause ocular and respiratory disease, and less frequently neurological or joint disease. These Mycoplasma species are distinct to the haemotropic mycoplasmas that target red blood cells, causing hemolytic anemia in cats. Mycoplasma felis is typically associated with Upper Respiratory Tracy Disease (URTD) in cats.

Transmission

M. felis is mainly transmitted from an infected cat to an in-contact one by aerosol, but also by grooming. Stresses, including overcrowding environment, concurrent respiratory viral infections and poor hygienic situations, may promote transmission of the infection between cats.

Clinical symptoms

Mycoplasma felis is typically associated with URTD but sometimes it may be associated with lower respiratory tract infections.
Common clinical signs include clear or coloured discharge from the eyes or nose, coughing, sneezing, conjunctivitis, chemosis, lethargy and anorexia. Lower respiratory tract infections can result in pneumonia with fever, cough, tachypnoea, and lethargy.

Diagnosis

Culture of mycoplasmas can be used to demonstrate infection, but it takes time for culture and rapid transport of samples to the laboratory is required. Demonstration of organisms via real-time PCR is increasingly being used to circumvent the difficulties with culture,In infected cats, M. felis can be detected by real-time PCR using ocular/ nasopharyngeal swab. The BIOGUARD Qmini PCR SYSTEM offers a versatile way of obtaining nucleic acid for PCR through its magnetic bead technology. In just under 10 minutes, nucleic acid samples are purified and ready for use. Additionally, the system includes a pre-made lyophilized powder PCR reaction mixer and pre-calibrated PCR protocol, resulting in PCR outcomes in 90 minutes.

Treatment

Antimicrobial therapy is commonly used to treat mycoplasma respiratory infections. Doxycycline is a good first line agent because it is well tolerated by cats and relatively narrow in spectrum. The recommended dose is 5 mg/kg, PO, q12h or 10 mg/kg, PO, q24 (Lappin et al., 2017). Oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline ophthalmic ointment can be used q6h in addition to topical treatment.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidial, unicellular, spore-forming, obligate intracellular parasite. It can invade the host's central nervous system, kidneys, crystals, etc. E. cuniculi affects rabbits by causing damage to the brain, nervous system, kidneys and other important organs. E. cuniculi pose a zoonotic risk to immune compromised humans. In addition, it can infect various mammals, such as rabbits, rats, mice, horses, foxes, cats, dogs, muskrats, leopards, and baboons.

Transmission and Life Cycle

E. cuniculi has a direct life cycle with both horizontal and vertical (transplacental) transmission. In rabbits, the common routes of natural horizontal infection are via the ingestion of contaminated food or water or, less commonly, via inhalation of spores.

After ingestion, the spores invade enterocytes and then spread through bloodstream or the lymphatic system. Then, it is carried into the blood circulation to target organs (kidney, central nervous system, eye, liver, and heart) where it causes inflammation. Antibody can be detected 2-3 weeks after infection, and IgM are usually detectable up to 18 weeks post-exposure. Spores are passed in the urine of rabbits, beginning around 35 days after infection, and continue to be excreted for 2 to 3 months