Abstract:
Feline blood-borne pathogens are infectious agents which knowledge of prevalence and risk factors for infection is important to recognize pathogens that should be screened in blood. A total of 298 samples (GROUP A) and 112 archived samples (GROUP B) were collected from client-owned cats attending the veterinary hospital of Chulalongkorn University, and private veterinary hospitals in Bangkok and vicinity. A total of 55 and 12 samples were positive for hemoplasmas in GROUP A and B, respectively. The species were ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ and Mycoplasma haemofelis. DNA of Bartonella were detected in 10 and 12 samples from GROUP A and B, respectively. Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae were revealed. Risk factor analysis showed that male sex, Domestic Shorthair breed, sickness, and feline immunodeficiency virus infection were risk factors of ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ infection; however, kitten was a protective factor. In addition, risk factors of any hemoplasma species infection were similar to those of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum'. Moreover, possible risk factors for hemoplasma infection were outdoor access, mature adult or senior, anemia, and feline leukemia virus infection. The current study advocates for screening hemoplasmas and Bartonella spp. in all feline blood donors prior to blood transfusion.
