Abstract

Infection by Mycoplasma felis is associated with ocular and respiratory disease in cats and respiratory disease in horses. A correct diagnosis is beneficial since the use of specific antimycoplasmal treatment can lead to resolution. The objective of the present study was to develop a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on dual-labeled fluorogenic probe technology, targeting the gene encoding elongation factor Tu (tuf), for the fast and specific detection of M. felis. Specificity was achieved by basing the assay design on partial sequencing of the tuf gene in strains and clinical isolates of M. felis as well as other mycoplasma species. The detection limit of the developed assay was in the order of 10 copies of target DNA, and no cross-reaction was observed with a panel of several mycoplasma species. Compared to a previously published conventional PCR protocol, the novel assay had equal or slightly improved performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity when analyzing 100 conjunctival swab samples from cats with clinical signs of infection.

Keywords

Detection; diagnostics; Mycoplasma felis; polymerase chain reaction; real-time polymerase chain reaction

Published in

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
2011, Volume: 23, number: 5, pages: 890-893
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

SLU Authors

• Ström Holst, Bodil

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Clinical Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638711407479

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/43143