First PCR-Confirmed Case of Feline Hemoplasmosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a Long-Term Follow-Up
Simple Summary Feline patients may frequently develop anemia in association with a variety of underlying concurrent conditions, primarily as a direct consequence of metabolic disorders or infectious agents such as hemoplasmas. Additionally, anemia may arise as a part of a primary myeloproliferative disease, particularly associated with retroviral infections. Recent data from owners and veterinarians indicate that feline hemoplasmosis, despite its worldwide occurrence, is not routinely considered as the differential diagnosis for anemia in cats of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The infection is often underdiagnosed and overlooked, primarily due to the absence of reliable rapid testing methods and lack of hemoplasmosis PCR testing availability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, prior to this study. This is the first reported case of PCR-confirmed hemoplasmosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It further provides detailed information on patients’ signalment, clinical and molecular diagnostic approaches, treatment, and long-term follow-up. Despite being immunocompromised due to feline immunodeficiency virus infection, no recurrence of hemoplasmosis or retroviral reactivation was observed over an almost five-year period. This case also emphasizes the importance of considering hemoplasmosis in anemic cats, particularly those that do not respond to the treatment, and demonstrates the value of molecular methods in establishing definitive diagnosis.