Pneumonia associated withMycoplasmaspp in three cats

Abstract

Mycoplasma spp were isolated in pure culture from bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from three cats with clinical, cytological and radiographic signs of bronchopneumonia or suppurative bronchitis. Predisposing factors were not identified in the first case, the second cat had oesophageal hypomotility, while the third cat had been exposed to cigarette smoke and had advanced periodontal disease. Respiratory signs resolved promptly and completely in all cases following antimicrobial therapy directed against mycoplasmas. Mycoplasma spp are possible causes of lower respiratory tract disease in cats and this should be considered when selecting empirical therapy for feline airway disease and pneumonia. In some situations mycoplasmas may behave as primary lower respiratory tract pathogens in cats.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Cats

“…Mycoplasmas are known pulmonary pathogens in other species and have been recorded as causing pyothorax, pneumonia (Fig 1), LRTIs and pulmonary abscessation in cats. 2,3,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] Mycoplasma felis has also been shown to directly induce pneumonia in two healthy kittens after experimental inoculation. 41 Despite this, mycoplasmal LRTIs are often considered to be a consequence of pre-existing pulmonary diseases such as FBD.…”

Mycoplasma Infections

“…Fewer than 25% of healthy dogs harbor mycoplasmas in their trachea or lungs. 30 Clinical signs include variable fever, cough, tachypnea, lethargy, and decreased appetite. 27,28 Mycoplasmas can be isolated from the lower airways and lungs of dogs and cats with pneumonia, sometimes in pure culture.…”

“…In one study mycoplasmas were detected in tracheobronchial lavage specimens from 21% of 28 cats with pulmonary disease, but not from 18 healthy cats. 30 Rarely, mycoplasmas can be cultured from the pleural fluid of cats and dogs with pyothorax, in pure culture or in mixed infections with other organisms. 29 Factors that predispose to the development of mycoplasma pneumonia are not always apparent.…”

Detection of Mycoplasma felis from the kenneled cats with pneumonia

“…Mycoplasma species have never been isolated from the trachea, bronchi, or lung of healthy cats (Padrid et al, 1991;Randolph et al, 1993a). In most reported canine or feline cases with isolation of Mycoplasma species in the lower airways, a co-infection with other bacteria or an underlying disease leading to aspiration of gastric content, impairment of local defense mechanisms, or systemic immunosuppression were identified (Randolph et al, 1993a;Randolph et al, 1993b;Jameson et al, 1995;Foster et al, 1998;Chandler and Lappin, 2002). Thus, Mycoplasma colonization and proliferation were considered a secondary event.…”