Identification of a novel hemotropic mycoplasma in a splenectornized dog with hemic neoplasia

On the basis of results of 16S rRNA gene analysis, organisms of the genera Haemobartonella and Eperythrozoon have now been reclassified as hemotropic Mycoplasma spp (hemoplasmas). To date, the only organism implicated in hemoplasmosis in dogs is Mycoplasma haemocanis (previously Haemobartonella canis), which is a cause of hemolytic anemia in splenectomized or immunosuppressed dogs. As observed in cats, small and large variants of these organisms appear to be capable of causing disease in dogs and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemolytic anemia in dogs.