Mycoplasma haemofelis is the most common erythroparasite in felines (Reagan, 30 years old). This tiny blood parasite causes feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis (FHM), formerly known as feline infectious anemia (FIA) (“New: IDEXX…”). Formerly known as Haemobartonella felis or Eperythrozoon felis, these hemoplasmas were considered Rickettsial organisms until the late 1990s, following analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence which revealed a pylogenetic relationship more closely with the genus Mycoplasma (“Mycoplasma Haemofelis”, Allison). Although hemoplasmas are generally species specific, morphologically similar infections, occur in various other species of vertebrae throughout the world; infections reported in immunocompromised individuals also suggest the possibility of zoonotic transmission (Reagan, 30, Allison). In recent reports, an HIV-infected human was found to be co-infected with Bartonella henselae and a hemoplasma genetically similar to M. haemofelis; the patient had five Bartonella spp. positive cats, including two positive for M. haemofelis (Allison). Numerous scratches and bites were seen on the human patient, suggesting a route of transmission (Allison). Hemoplasmas are transmitted by transfer of infected blood, either by transfusion, contamination, arthropod vectors (fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies and lice). ), or by vertical transmission between a queen and her offspring (Allison, “New: IDEXX…”). As mentioned previously in the case of the human patient, aggressive behaviors such as biting and scratching have also been associated with transmission and are supported by studies reporting hemoplasma DNA in saliva, on the gum, and on the claws of infected felines ("New: IDEXX...", Allison). Three mycoplasmas were...... middle of paper ......anuel. 5th ed. Ames: Blackwell, 2001. 47. Print. Ishak, AM, KL Dowers, MT Cavanaugh, CC Powell, JR Hawley, SV Radecki, and MR Lappin. “Marbofloxacin for the treatment of experimentally induced Mycoplasma Haemofelis infection in cats.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. US National Library of Medicine, March 22, 2008. Web. February 16, 2014. “Mycoplasma Haemofelis.” MicrobeWiki. Kenyon College, nd Web. February 9, 2014. "New: IDEXX RealPCR™ Test for Feline Hemotropic Mycoplasma (FHM) (formerly Haemobartonella), from IDEXX Reference Laboratories." Updated diagnosis from IDEXX Laboratories. IDEXX Laboratories, June 2007. Web. February 8, 2014.Reagan, William J., Armando R. Irizarry Rovira, and Dennis B. DeNicola. “Red blood cell inclusions and parasites.” Veterinary hematology: Atlas of common domestic and non-domestic species. 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Blackwell, 2008. 30. Print.