Abstract
“Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis” (CMt) is a hemoplasma species of felids. Recent evidence has shown that cats that overcome bacteremia may be protected from reinfection. The purposes of this study were to (1) re-inoculate ostensibly recovered cats, (2) evaluate the immune response and (3) assess CMt tissue loads. Fifteen specified pathogen-free cats were subcutaneously inoculated with CMt: 10 cats (group A) had previously undergone bacteremia and recovered, and 5 naïve cats (group B) served as controls. CMt infections were monitored by real-time PCR using blood and tissue, and the humoral immune response was assessed using DnaK ELISA. Cytokine mRNA expression levels were measured by real-time PCR, and lymphocyte subsets were detected by flow cytometry. The cats in group A were protected from reinfection (no detectable bacteremia) and showed a transient decrease in antibodies. Eosinophilia was noted in cats from group A. The cats from group B became PCR-positive and seroconverted. All of the tissues analyzed from the cats in group B but none of the tissues analyzed from the cats in group A were CMt PCR-positive. Significant changes were observed in the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-4 and the Th2/Th1 ratio in both groups. The cats from group A occasionally showed higher numbers of CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD25+ and CD5+MHCII+ T lymphocytes than the control cats. In conclusion, this study describes, for the first time, the occurrence of immunological protection within the same hemoplasma species. Furthermore, the immune response during CMt infections appeared to be skewed toward the Th2 type.
Highlights
Abstract “Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis” (CMt) is a hemoplasma species of felids
To characterize the immune response, antibody levels were assessed using Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) DnaK enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and cytokine mRNA profiles were measured by real-time TaqmanW PCR
The cats in group A had undergone a previous experimental CMt infection and recovered from CMt bacteremia: they were PCR-negative for CMt in the peripheral blood, and 9 of the 10 cats were serologically positive for a well-recognized hemoplasma antigen, Mhf DnaK
Summary
Abstract “Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis” (CMt) is a hemoplasma species of felids. Recent evidence has shown that cats that overcome bacteremia may be protected from reinfection. CMt infections were monitored by real-time PCR using blood and tissue, and the humoral immune response was assessed using DnaK ELISA. Cytokine mRNA expression levels were measured by real-time PCR, and lymphocyte subsets were detected by flow cytometry. The cats in this study were CMt-negative in their blood samples as determined by real-time TaqManW PCR, but low bacterial copy numbers were detected in some of their tissues [12]. A preliminary experiment indicated that CMt-seropositive cats may be protected from a peak bacteremia subsequent to a repeated challenge with CMt; this study lacked the necessary control group [13]. To characterize the immune response, antibody levels were assessed using Mhf DnaK ELISA, and cytokine mRNA profiles were measured by real-time TaqmanW PCR.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
