A molecular study of hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) in cats in Iran

BackgroundThree feline hemoplasma species are recognized: Mycoplasma haemofelis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. These species can cause anemia in cats and have a worldwide distribution. ObjectivesThere was no previous information on hemotropic mycoplasma spp in cats in Iran and the Middle East. Accordingly, we investigated the molecular presence, and clinical signs and hematological profile in cats infected with these microorganisms in Iranian cats. MethodsPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and cytology were performed on 100 blood samples collected from Iranian Shorthair cats. ACBC and case history were also collected for each sample. ResultsBy PCR, 22 (22%; 14-30%, 95% CI) samples were positive. The prevalence of M haemofelis, Ca M haemominutum', and Ca M turicensis' was 63.63% (14/22), 54.54% (12/22), and 18.18% (4/22), respectively. Some double and triple co-infections were also found. Using PCR as the reference method, cytology had poor sensitivity (27%) and reasonable specificity (89.74%). Male cats were at a higher risk of infection (P=.001). Cats older than 8years were more frequently infected than the younger cats (P=.0018). Lower HCT (P=.018), RBC count (P=.028) and HGB concentration (P=.003) were also associated with hemoplasma PCR-positive status. ConclusionsBased on this study, the most prevalent feline hemoplasma species in Iranian cats was M haemofelis, but double and triple co-infections are also documented. Age and sex, as well as reduced RBC parameters, were predisposing factors for hemoplasma infection

Antioxidant effect of different vitamins on methemoglobin production: An in vitro study

Nitrite intoxication occurs frequently in ruminants and equines. The most common treatment of this disorder is administration of 1% methylene blue, although the use of some antioxidant agents e.g. vitamins and complementary treatment may also be useful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidative effects of some vitamins on methemoglobinemia induced by sodium nitrite. For this purpose the blood sample of a healthy dairy cattle was pre-incubated with three different concentrations (5, 10, 20 mmol L-1) of each vitamin (E, C, B1, A and a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C) as antioxidant agent at 4 °C for 24 hours. A control group with normal saline instead of vitamin was applied. Then, all samples were treated with sodium nitrite (10 mmol L-1) as an oxidant agent for 10 minutes and the level of methemoglobin formation was measured spectrophoto- metrically. The results revealed that the level of methemoglobin decreased significantly (P < 0.05), when vitamin E (10 and 20 mmol L-1) and vitamin C (5 mmol L-1) was applied to the tests, separately. Vitamin C at the concentration of 20 mmol L-1, was not effective, but it even increased methemoglobin formation significantly. Combination of vitamin E and C was significantly effective at concentration 5 mmol L-1, but not at concentration 10 and 20 mmol L-1. Vitamin A and vitamin B1 were not effective in any concentration. It was concluded that vitamins especially vitamin C and E can reduce oxidative effects which induced methemoglobin formation in vitro and could be used as an alternative medication