Download Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma (FHM) Test (formerly

Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma (formerly Haemobartonella)
(FHM)
IDEXX Reference Laboratories introduces IDEXX RealPCR™ Tests
Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma (FHM) Test
(formerly Haemobartonella)
FHM is a common cause of severe hemolytic anemia in cats. In a recent study, 12.7% of healthy blood
donor pet cats were infected with feline hemotropic mycoplasmas, and the rate was higher for outdoor
cats and cats exposed to fleas.1 Until now diagnosing feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis (formerly
hemobartonellosis or feline infectious anemia) has been a challenge.
With the new IDEXX RealPCR™ FHM Test, you can take the guesswork out of diagnosing the cause of feline
anemia. By routinely performing this test on your anemic patients, you can quickly begin treating infected cats or
rule out an FHM infection.
An IDEXX Reference Laboratories study shows that:
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is up to nine times more sensitive than microscopic evaluation
and can support your diagnosis of significantly more cases.
• Visual slide review cannot distinguish FHM species, but real-time PCR can. Because the pathogenicity of
FHM species differs, IDEXX RealPCR helps you determine the significance of an FHM infection, which may
affect case management, including the pursuit of additional diagnostics and treatment.
Most pathogenic: Mycoplasma haemofelis
Moderately pathogenic: Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis
Least pathogenic: Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum
• The specificity, sensitivity and speed of real-time PCR make this test far more accurate and reliable
than manual slide review for diagnosing feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis.
Compare the methods below to see how real-time PCR detects infections
that a manual slide review can miss.
Positives found
by IDEXX RealPCR
IDEXX RealPCR vs. Slide Review
by Trained Technicians
(Total samples = 303a)
Positive for any species: 88 (29.0%)
10 (3.3%)
Positives by species or Mhf: 21 (6.9%)
species combination CaMh: 41 (13.5%)
CaMt: 5 (1.7%)
Mhf & CaMh: 8 (2.6%)
Mhf & CaMt: 3 (1.0%)
CaMh & CaMt: 3 (1.0%)
Mhf & CaMh & CaMt: 7 (2.3%)
Mhf = Mycoplasma haemofelis
CaMh = Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum
CaMt = Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis
Results in 1-3 days
Positives found
by slide review
Could not distinguish species
a. A
ll samples were whole blood from
cats with hematocrit less than 25%.
Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma (formerly Haemobartonella)
(FHM)
Take the guesswork out of diagnosing
the cause of feline anemia.
Consider performing the IDEXX RealPCR™ FHM Test on the following cats to get definitive answers
on this potentially life-threatening infection:
Cats with regenerative anemia where there’s no obvious bleeding —Blood loss and hemolysis are the
two main causes of a regenerative anemia. If there’s no evidence of bleeding, hemolysis is most likely and
FHM must be ruled out.
FeLV-positive cats with anemia—A regenerative or nonregenerative anemia can be present with a
concurrent FeLV infection. Persistent infections with feline hemotropic mycoplasmas in these cats may
promote myeloproliferative disorders.2
If you’re not currently an
IDEXX Reference Laboratories
customer and would like to try
IDEXX RealPCR tests,
please call your IDEXX
sales representative.
Cats with other chronic illnesses where nonregenerative anemia is worse than expected —
Typically, FHM results in a regenerative anemia. But if the cat has a concurrent illness that limits its bone
marrow response to anemia (e.g., renal failure, neoplasia), the anemia may appear nonregenerative.
FHM may compound or complicate the anemia present from the chronic illness.
Cats with nonregenerative anemia where there is no apparent cause —If primary bone marrow
disease is suspected, consider ruling out FHM prior to or concurrently with performing a bone marrow
aspirate — in case it’s the sole cause of or contributing to the anemia.
Blood donor cats — All blood donor cats should be screened for FHM to prevent infection of blood recipients.
Ordering the IDEXX RealPCR™ FHM Test is easy —
just add it to your IDEXX Reference Laboratories
test order form.
test code name and contents
FHMD
Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma (FHM)
(formerly Haemobartonella) Test
specimen requirements
2 mL EDTA whole blood,
lavender-top tube. Keep refrigerated.
Mycoplasma haemofelis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum
and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis
1. Hackett TB, Jensen WA, Lehman TL, et al. Prevalence of DNA of Mycoplasma haemofelis, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma
haemominutum,’ Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and species of Bartonella, Neorickettsia, and Ehrlichia in cats used as
blood donors in the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006;229(5):700-705.
2. Sykes JE. Feline hemotropic mycoplasma (feline hemobartonellosis). Vet Clin Small Anim. 2003;33:773-789.
Results in 1-3 days
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RealPCR and Practice what’s possible are trademarks or registered trademarks of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.