Characterization of mycoplasmas isolated from cats with conjunctivitis

Authors: Tan RJS, Miles JAR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 21, Issue 3, pp 27-32, Mar 1973
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cat, Companion animal
Subject Terms: Eye/opthalmology, Bacterial, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Clinical examination, Species description
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Mycoplasmas have been found widely distributed in both man and animals, as well as in soil and sewage (Hayflick, 1969). In recent years, mycoplasmas have also been isolated and described from cats (Cole et al 1967; Heyward et al 1969; Tan and Miles, 1972). These cat strains were represented by M. felis, M. gateae, M. feliminutum and M. laidlawii. In the urban and suburban, districts of Dunedin, many strains of mycoplasmas were isolated from cats with conjunctivitis (Tan and Markham, 1971). In some cases, the infection was quite severe with acute inflammation involving the conjunctiva and the nictitating membrane. Initial studies by Tan and Markham (1971) strongly suggested that these mycoplasmas were related to, if not identical with M. felis. This paper describes the detailed characterization of these mycoplasmas and their serological and biochemical comparisons with the prototype strains M. felis.

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