Molecular investigation of Mycoplasma haemofelis in stray cats in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Mycoplasma haemofelis (M. haemofelis) is a gram-negative, epicellular bacteria that infects feline red cells (RBC). The pathogen appears as small blue cocci, rings, or rods on the edges or across the surface of RBCs and often causes haemolytic anemia. However, the epizootiology of M. haemofelis is still poorly understood. So far, there are only a few studies that have been carried out to determine the prevalence of M. haemofelis. Most of the studies were conducted in Europe and other continents and the epidemiology of M. haemofelis in Malaysia, particularly in stray cats have not been reported. In this study, 60 blood samples were collected from stray cats in Kota Bharu and were examined by using thin blood smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. This study showed that seven out of the 60 blood samples were positive for M. haemofelis by using PCR. Thus the prevalence rate of M. haemofelis in stray cats in Kota Bharu from this study was 11.7%. However, more studies with larger sample size and diverse sample distribution should be conducted to better understand the occurrence of this pathogen in both housed and stray cats. Moreover, the genetic variability of M. haemofelis infecting domestic and wild animals need to be conducted to verify the relationship among geographic distribution, genetic diversity and the potential threats to animal and human health.

Long-term survival in multiple myeloma is associated with a distinct immunological profile, which includes proliferative cytotoxic T-cell clones and a favourable Treg/Th17 balance

Despite improved outcomes in multiple myeloma (MM), a cure remains elusive. However, even before the current therapeutic era, 5% of patients survived >10 years and we propose that immune factors contribute to this longer survival. We identified patients attending our clinic, who had survived >10 years (n=20) and analysed their blood for the presence of T-cell clones, T-regulatory cells (Tregs) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells. These results were compared with MM patients with shorter follow-up and age-matched healthy control donors. The frequency of cytotoxic T-cell clonal expansions in patients with <10 years follow-up (MM patients) was 54% (n=144), whereas it was 100% (n=19/19) in the long-survivors (LTS-MM). T-cell clones from MM patients proliferated poorly in vitro, whereas those from LTS-MM patients proliferated readily (median proliferations 6.1% and 61.5%, respectively (P<0.0001)). In addition, we found significantly higher Th17 cells and lower Tregs in the LTS-MM group when compared with the MM group. These results indicate that long-term survival in MM is associated with a distinct immunological profile, which is consistent with decreased immune suppression.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from dogs and cats at University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is known to cause nosocomial infections and is now becoming an emerging problem in veterinary medicine. The objective of the study was to determine the presence of MRSA in 100 cats and dogs sampled between November 2007 and April 2008 at the University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia. MRSA was detected in 8% of pets sampled. Ten percent (5/50) and 6% (3/50) of the isolates were from dogs and cats, respectively. All MRSA isolates possessed the mecA gene and were found to be resistant to at least three antimicrobials with a minimum of Oxacillin MIC of 8 μg/mL. One isolate (CT04) had an extremely high MIC of >256 μg/mL. The MLST type ST59 found in this study have been reported earlier from Singapore and other countries as a strain from animal and community-associated MRSA respectively. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed five pulsotypes. Two isolates from cats (CT27 and CT33) and three isolates from dogs (DG16, DG20, and DG49) were respectively assigned to pulsotypes B and D. The study suggests that cats and dogs in Malaysia are potential reservoirs for MRSA.